Mum and two young children rushed to hospital after “corrosive substance” attack

A mother and her two young children were among nine people rushed to hospital after a “corrosive substance” was thrown at them in Clapham last night.

The incident unfolded in Lessar Avenue, near Clapham Common, at around 7.45pm.

The mother was reportedly attacked while she was sitting in a car.

A witness who helped the woman told Sky News: “It was horrific. First a man grabbed his kid – a girl aged two or three from a white car. He threw her on to the floor – twice. It was the worst thing I’ve ever seen.

“The man then threw something at the woman. She was screaming, ‘my eyes, my eyes’.”

Police helicopters were scrambled in a desperate attempt to find the attacker, but so far nobody has been arrested.

Detective Superintendent Alexander Castle, investigating, said: “Officers are on scene following this horrific incident.

“Three victims – a woman and her two young children – have been taken to hospital for treatment.

“Three other people – all adults – have been taken to hospital for injuries sustained, we believe, as they came to their aid.

“Three police officers have also been taken to hospital after they responded to the incident. Thankfully we believe their injuries to be minor.

“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.”

Any members of the public who can help with information or material should call 999 immediately, quoting reference CAD 7790/31 Jan.

Pictured top: Police at the scene in Lessar Avenue near Clapham Common (Picture: PA)