Man, 35, arrested following suspected acid attack outside school
Westminster Academy where a 14-year-old girl has been left with potentially life-changing injuries
PA
A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm after a suspected acid attack outside a school in west London.
A 14-year-old girl was left with potentially life-changing injuries while a boy aged 16 and a 27-year-old woman were also injured after a substance, believed to be acidic, was thrown at them outside Westminster Academy on Monday afternoon.
Officers on a routine patrol were flagged down by staff following the incident at 4.42pm on Monday.
Paramedics and the London Fire Brigade (LFB) attended the scene.
Westminster Academy where a 14-year-old girl has been left with potentially life-changing injuries
PA
Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, investigating the incident, said: "The investigation team has been working tirelessly to piece together the events in which two young victims, aged 16 and 14, were approached outside the school by a lone man who threw a substance at them before fleeing.
"We launched an urgent manhunt to identify and arrest the man responsible for this horrific attack. I am pleased to confirm a man was arrested in the early hours of this morning in connection with the incident.
"The 14-year-old girl sustained serious injuries and has returned to hospital having been briefly discharged by doctors. It may still be some time before we know the true extent of how serious her injuries are, but at this time they are being treated as potentially life-changing.
"The 16-year-old boy has now been discharged by the hospital and fortunately, his injuries are not as severe as the girl’s. A member of staff from the school also sustained injuries as she rushed to the youngsters to provide first aid to them."
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The father of the teenage girl said his daughter is in “shock, pain, and trauma” and has been left with “severe injuries."
Writing on an online fundraising page, Corey McFarlane said his daughter was “a fighter” but said “she needs her community behind her more than ever."
He added: “This senseless act of violence has left her with severe injuries that require urgent and long-term medical care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and mental health support.”
He appealed for anyone with information to come forward, and said: Any support we can get from the community to spread awareness, gather information, and assist in the investigation would be deeply appreciated."
Principal of Westminster Academy Numera Anwar told GB News "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 will clearly be an unsettling time for the wider community and parents.
"While police lead the investigation into this incident I would urge everyone to avoid speculation as this will not be helpful and may compromise the investigation. Our focus remains on our students and staff members and that is what we are concentrating on."
To donate to the fundraiser, click here.