Schoolgirl suffers life-changing injuries in acid attack

A 14-year-old girl has been left with life-changing injuries after a masked man on an e-scooter attacked her and a 16-year-old boy with acid on their way home from school.

Detectives said they were searching for a “tall, slim, black male” who was wearing dark clothing and had his face covered.

The girl and the boy were attacked at around 4.40pm on Monday near Westminster Academy, in Paddington, west London.

A 27-year-old teacher who “bravely and selflessly” rushed in to perform first aid on the two victims also sustained injuries in the attack, police said. She has now been discharged from hospital.

The girl and the boy, who is not a pupil at the school, remain in hospital. The boy’s injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.

“For the 14-year-old girl we might not know for some time how severe her injuries are, but at this time they are being treated as life-changing,” Det Chief Insp Dean Purvis said in an update on Tuesday afternoon.

He added: “From our enquiries so far we believe the two young victims were on Alfred Road when they were approached by a lone suspect who threw a substance at them before fleeing down Harrow Road.

“A member of staff bravely and selflessly rushed to provide first aid to the two victims, sustaining injuries herself in the process. Fortunately she has now left hospital.”

‘Incredibly concerning’

Mr Purvis said he knew how “incredibly concerning” the incident would be to parents and the wider community and promised a thorough investigation.

He said: “If you have information that can help us, it is imperative that you tell us immediately. The area at the time was busy with people and cars.

“I am particularly interested in hearing from anyone who might have captured dash cam footage that can help us establish what happened.”

Police said the suspect was described as wearing dark clothing with his face obscured, possibly by a mask or balaclava. He rode an e-scooter to and from the scene.

Two Metropolitan Police officers responding to the incident received medical treatment as a precaution after feeling unwell. Tests of the substance are ongoing but it is believed to be acidic, police said.

Westminster Academy, a non-selective academy for pupils aged 11 to 18, remained closed on Tuesday, with lessons taking place online, according to a statement on its website.

Teacher injured

Numera Anwar, the school’s principal, said in a statement: “One pupil, a teacher and a member of the public have been injured in an incident outside the school building on the main road involving an acid-like corrosive substance.

“This was a distressing incident which took place after school hours when students and staff were leaving the school site. We are offering support to families and relatives of all involved.

“This is a difficult time for our community and I took the decision to close the school today to allow for a thorough investigation and to ensure the school can resume normally from tomorrow with all safety measures in place.”

One shopkeeper, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s truly terrible what happened.”

Another local resident said: “I just can’t keep hearing news like this. This country is morally broken. This proves it. The future is so bleak, honestly.”