Police arrested three teenagers after three 17-year-old boys were struck with a corrosive substance in Walthamstow yesterday afternoon (1st October), reports Marco Marcelline
Three teenage boys are in hospital after being struck by a corrosive substance near Walthamstow town centre yesterday afternoon (1st October), in an incident leading to three arrests.
Metropolitan Police officers arrived at the scene near the Hoe Street junction with Walthamstow High Street, at around 4.30pm.
Together with colleagues from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and London Ambulance Service (LAS), officers found the teenagers had “sustained injuries consistent with a corrosive substance”.
The LAS sent two ambulance crews, an incident response officer, and its Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) to the scene.
HART responds to incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear substances.
The Echo understands that three boys were hosed off by the LFB at the junction of Stainforth Road and St Mary Road yesterday afternoon.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “At around 4.30pm on Wednesday, 1st October officers responded to reports of a fight between two groups of boys on Walthamstow High Street.
“During the incident a liquid was thrown which was later confirmed to be a corrosive substance.
“Police attended the scene along with the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade. Three boys were taken to hospital, where they were assessed to have non life-threatening nor life-changing injuries.
“Three 17-year-old boys were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, affray and possession of an offensive weapon and they remain in police custody. Enquiries are ongoing.”
In a Facebook post, Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy called the incident “horrific”, adding: “I want to be clear I recognise [the] recent spate of incidents [is] worrying and [I] am seeking further details of what actions are being taken to tackle serious crime in our community.”
Khevyn Limbajee, Waltham Forest cabinet member for community safety, said: “We share residents’ concerns following this shocking incident. Street violence is deeply unsettling for anyone who witnesses it or lives nearby. We expect to receive an update on the conditions of the young people who were taken to hospital shortly, and we hope their injuries are not severe.
“We are supporting the police investigation in any way we can. We will also make sure our Safer Routes colleagues and neighbourhood officers are highly visible in the community over coming days, to provide some extra reassurance.”
The suspected acid attack comes just two days after a 36-year-old woman was shot in Howard Road, near Walthamstow Village.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting CAD 5267/01OCT. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
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