London acid attack incidents: Police arrest teenager

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and robbery. He is currently in custody at an east London police station."

Police have appealed for witnesses and information after a spate of acid attacks in east London.

Officers were called by the London Ambulance Service on Thursday, 13 July, at 22:25hrs to Hackney Road junction with Queensbridge Road, E2 to a robbery. Officers attended and found a 32-year-old man suffering from facial injuries, read a statement issued by the police.

The victim had been on a moped when another moped, with two male riders, pulled up alongside him.

The males threw a corrosive substance in the victim's face, with one stealing his vehicle and the other making off on the moped they arrived on.

The man was taken to an east London hospital.

His injuries are not being treated as life threatening or life changing.

Following this incident, a corrosive substance was reported to have been thrown in the face of a man (no further details) by two males on a moped in Shoreditch High Street, E8 at 23:05hrs.

The victim was taken to hospital and his injuries are not believed life threatening or life changing.

At 23:18hrs, police received a call to a robbery in Cazenove Road, E5 where a corrosive substance had been thrown.

Officers attended and found a man in his mid-20s suffering from facial injuries. He was taken to an east London hospital. His injuries are described as life-changing. A crime scene remains in place.

A fourth incident was reported to police at 23:37hrs in Chatsworth Road, E5. A man stated he had been on his moped in traffic when two males on another moped pulled up alongside him and sprayed liquid in his face. They stole his moped and made off.

The victim (no further details) made his way to his home address before contacting police. He was taken to an east London hospital. His injuries are not life threatening and not-life changing

Following the incidents in Hackney, officers were made aware of a similar attack reported in Islington. At 22:49hrs, a man was reported to have had a corrosive substance thrown in his face by two males on a moped in Upper Street junction with Highbury Corner.

He was to a north London hospital and we await an update on his condition.

All five incidents are being treated as linked at this time.

Enquiries are ongoing and officers from Hackney CID are investigating.

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