Police are hunting a lone suspect who threw acid at two teenagers and a member of staff outside a west London school, leaving all three hospitalised.
Officers said the two teenage victims - a girl, 14, and boy, 16 - remained in hospital after Monday afternoon’s horror attack outside Westminster Academy, near Paddington.
A 27-year-old member of staff from the school who “bravely and selflessly” rushed to provide first aid and sustained injuries herself has since been discharged from hospital.
Detectives said the scale of the 14-year-old girl’s injuries were not yet clear, but that her wounds are thought to be life-changing. The boy’s injuries are not thought to be life-changing or life-threatening.
Met Detective Chief Inspector Dean Purvis said it was believed the victims were outside the main school building on Alfred Road when the suspect attacked them, before fleeing down nearby Harrow Road.
The suspect is described as a tall, slim, Black male, wearing dark clothing with his face obscured, possibly by a mask or balaclava. He rode an e-scooter to and from the scene.
DCI Purvis urged anyone with information about the attacker to make contact immediately.
A pupil at the school was affected, alongside a member of staff and a member of the public, the school said in a statement.
“The two teenage victims – a girl and a boy - remain in hospital. For the 14-year-old girl we might not know for some time how severe her injuries are but at this time they are being treated as life-changing,” said DCI Purvis.
“I know how incredibly concerning this incident is to parents and pupils and the wider Westminster community.
“We are in close contact with the school and local authority, and I can assure people that a thorough investigation is well under way, and that my officers will not stop until the suspect is found and arrested.
“If you have information that can help us, it is imperative that you tell us immediately. The area at the time was busy with people and cars.
“I am particularly interested in hearing from anyone who might have captured dash cam footage that can help us establish what happened.”
Two police officers who were taken to hospital as a precaution after feeling unwell have since been discharged.
The school was closed on Tuesday with lessons moved online as police carried out their investigations.
In a statement, school principal Numera Anwar said the “distressing” attack took place outside the main school building after hours as staff and pupils left for the day.
“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,” she said.
“This is a difficult time for our community and I took the decision to close the school today to allow for a thorough investigation and to ensure the school can resume normally from tomorrow with all safety measures in place.
“We are working with the local authority and will have counsellors and other support available onsite. The welfare of the students at Westminster Academy is always our priority and that continues to remain the case.
“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.”
Detectives have praised the “incredible” bravery of the school staff member who rushed to help, as well as emergency services who attended the scene.
A local resident said he was in a cafe opposite the school when police cars and ambulances screeched up to aid the injured and hunt the attacker.
The man, 38, who works in construction, said: “There were cops everywhere and real panic. There was a crime scene tent they set up just outside the school. It was full on.”
Another witness said: “There was a kid crying nearby. She looked really upset. I don’t know whether it was her friend injured but it was all very upsetting. Police were here really quickly - I just hope the people are all okay.”
The school is a non-selective academy for pupils aged 11 to 18 and is sponsored by The Exilarch's Foundation, which is headed by entrepreneur David Dangoor CBE.
Leader of Westminster City Council, Cllr Adam Hug, described the attack as “truly shocking”.
"The Council has been in touch with Westminster Academy and we will provide educational psychologists and any other support to help children through what is a traumatic ordeal,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected.
"Clearly this attack will be unsettling for the whole Academy and the wider community, and we will be working with police to provide reassurance and whatever support we can. We would urge anyone with information about what has happened to contact the police."
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has information that could help police, is being asked to call 101 ref CAD 4987/30 Sept.
