Nine people have been injured in what emergency officials have described as a “chemical incident” in which a “corrosive substance” was thrown in south London.
Police have said nine people were taken to hospital following the incident on Lessar Avenue in Clapham, Lambeth, this evening, with one man reportedly seen fleeing the scene.
Among those involved in the incident were a woman and her two young children, all three of whom have been taken to hospital for treatment, with a further three people also requiring medical help.
The additional three are believed to have come to the others’ aid, with three officers attending the incident having sustained reportedly minor injuries.
Metropolitan Police officers are yet to make any arrests, but the service has employed all available resources – including the National Police Air Service – to aid in their investigations.
Detective Superintendent Alexander Castle said officials are testing the substance, and at this stage they believe it is “corrosive”.
He said: “While tests are ongoing to determine what the substance is, at this stage we believe it to be a corrosive substance.
“A man was seen fleeing the scene. We are drawing on resources from across the Met to apprehend this individual and work is ongoing to determine what has led to this awful incident.”
Police have asked any members of the public who believe they can aid the investigation with information or material to call 999 immediately quoting the reference CAD 7790/31 Jan.
