Big jump in acid attacks

THE number of acid attacks across the UK shot up 10% last year, data shows, but a charity warned this could be higher.

- By Ciaran McGrath

And the North East is bearing the brunt of the trend, with almost a quarter of all incidents occurring in the Northumbria Police area.

In a Freedom of Information request to all forces in the UK, Acid Survivors Trust International found 498 physical attacks involving corrosives were recorded in 2024, up from 454 in 2023.

ASTI believes under-reporting means the actual total is likely to be higher.

Some 24% of all corrosive violent offences against a person were recorded by Northumbria Police - 121 attacks.

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This is despite the population making up just 2% of the UK’s overall number of inhabitants.

In 2023, Northumbria Police and the Met in London recorded the highest number of attacks — 81 and 72 respectively.