BurfordTJustice
2017-07-14 13:09:55 UTC
British teen linked to spate of acid attacks in London arrested
A British teen was arrested Friday in connection to five acid attacks
conducted over a span of 90 minutes by men on mopeds in London. Several
people were injured in the incidents.
London's Metropolitan police did not immediately release the 16-year-old boy's
name but said he was arrested on suspicion of robbery and grievous bodily
harm. Police have appealed to the public for more information on the
suspect.
Police said the spree began late Thursday when two men on a moped tossed
noxious substance into the face of a 32-year-old moped diver, then jumped on
his vehicle and drove away.
The pattern was repeated across a swath of east London. At least one victim,
a man in his 20s, was left with life-changing injuries, police said.
The assaults follow a spate of high-profile attacks, including one in which
a man is accused of throwing acid at an aspiring model and her cousin as
they sat in their car. A 25-year-old man has been charged in that case.
London police say the number of reported attacks with corrosive liquids rose
from 261 to 454 in 2016. Some of the attacks appear to be related to gang
activity of the theft of cars and motorbikes.
The spike in attacks has prompted some lawmakers to call for restrictions on
the sale and carrying of corrosive liquids such as sulfuric acid.
London police chief Cressida Dick said officers were concerned by the
increase in the "completely barbaric" attacks.
"We will arrest people, we will enforce the law as we can, and we are
working very closely with the (government) to try to see if there is any
changes in the law required," Dick told LBC radio.
A British teen was arrested Friday in connection to five acid attacks
conducted over a span of 90 minutes by men on mopeds in London. Several
people were injured in the incidents.
London's Metropolitan police did not immediately release the 16-year-old boy's
name but said he was arrested on suspicion of robbery and grievous bodily
harm. Police have appealed to the public for more information on the
suspect.
Police said the spree began late Thursday when two men on a moped tossed
noxious substance into the face of a 32-year-old moped diver, then jumped on
his vehicle and drove away.
The pattern was repeated across a swath of east London. At least one victim,
a man in his 20s, was left with life-changing injuries, police said.
The assaults follow a spate of high-profile attacks, including one in which
a man is accused of throwing acid at an aspiring model and her cousin as
they sat in their car. A 25-year-old man has been charged in that case.
London police say the number of reported attacks with corrosive liquids rose
from 261 to 454 in 2016. Some of the attacks appear to be related to gang
activity of the theft of cars and motorbikes.
The spike in attacks has prompted some lawmakers to call for restrictions on
the sale and carrying of corrosive liquids such as sulfuric acid.
London police chief Cressida Dick said officers were concerned by the
increase in the "completely barbaric" attacks.
"We will arrest people, we will enforce the law as we can, and we are
working very closely with the (government) to try to see if there is any
changes in the law required," Dick told LBC radio.