Lancashire police urge public 'do not approach' on-the-run 19-year-old after chemical attack
Lancashire Police
Police said they were treating the incident ‘extremely seriously’
The public have been told not to approach – but to contact police about – a 19-year-old man wanted in connection with a chemical attack in Lancashire.
Lancashire Police launched an investigation yesterday after a woman in her 30s was attacked with “a substance thought to be ammonia” in Fleetwood on Sunday afternoon.
Ammonia, a highly corrosive substance which can cause severe irritation and burns, was thrown in the victim’s face at an address on Whinfield Avenue.
As part of enquiries, police are looking to speak to Mickey Blundell, 19, from Radcliffe Road in Fleetwood, and have released a photo of the teenager.
Whinfield Avenue in Fleetwood, where police were called following the attack
The service said it believed the attack was “isolated and targeted”, and reassured the public there was “no wider threat”.
The victim was hospitalised, but police said she was “thankfully not seriously injured” and has since been discharged.
Detective Inspector Kirsty Wyatt said: “It is only a matter of luck that this victim did not receive more significant injuries, and we are treating this extremely seriously.
“We are carrying out our own enquiries to trace the suspect, but we would also like to appeal for the public’s help to find him.
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“If anyone sees Blundell, or knows where he may be, I would ask them not to approach him but to contact police as a matter of urgency.”
Police have asked members of the public with any information to call 101 and quote log 0646 of March 3.
The service said anyone with immediate sightings of Blundell should call 999.