Acid attacks soar by 75%

With a growing number of female victims, says charity

- AMY-CLARE MARTIN

Acid attacks have surged by 75 per cent with growing numbers of female victims, it has been revealed. Figures from police forces in England and Wales show at least 1,244 offences involving corrosive substances were recorded last year, up from just 710 in 2022.

The latest rise comes after a 69 per cent year-on-year increase was also recorded in 2022 as experts warn the escalating problem is a “huge concern”.

Worrying, only 8 per cent of attacks resulted in a perpetrator being charged, according to the figures from Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI). The charity has called for urgent action from the winner of the general election amid fears the true total is likely to be even higher due to under-reporting by victims.

The data, obtained via Freedom of Information Requests made to police forces, comes after a mother was critically injured in a horrifying alkali attack in Clapham, southwest London, earlier this year.

Abdul Ezedi had travelled to London from Newcastle to douse his former girlfriend in a corrosive substance in the 31 January attack, which also saw her two children injured.

Ezedi, 35, fled the scene but is believed to have taken his own life after his body was pulled from the Thames by police.

According to friends, the mother was still in critical care having lost sight in at least one of her eyes a month after the attack.