Evening summary
Scotland Yard is hunting a “significantly injured” suspected chemical attacker who allegedly left a “vulnerable” young woman and her toddler with potentially life-changing wounds after throwing a corrosive substance over them.
Detectives shared a new photo of Abdul Ezedi on Thursday, calling him “dangerous” and highlighting the maimed right side of his face while appealing for witnesses to come forward. But they warned: “If you see him, do not approach him.”
Officers later released a CCTV image of the last known sighting of Ezedi in Caledonian Road in Islington shortly before 9pm on Wednesday. “The image is taken from the Tesco store, where Ezedi is believed to have purchased a bottle of water. He left the shop and turned right. The image shows Ezedi with what appears to be significant injuries to the right side of his face. This makes him distinctive,” Cameron said.
The Metropolitan police have alerted other forces in case the 35-year-old tries to flee London, with a superintendent, Gabriel Cameron, saying he was last seen in the Caledonian Road area of north London, and was believed to have travelled from the north-east of England to carry out the attack.
He did not confirm what substance was used, saying many such corrosive products were readily available in high street shops, or how the attacker sustained his injury.
The 31-year-old woman, who is believed to be known to Ezedi, her three-year-old and a second daughter, aged eight, were in a stable condition in hospital on Thursday afternoon.
A mechanic in the Byker area of Newcastle said his boss recognised Abdul Ezedi as he had tried to buy a car from the business some months ago, PA Media reported. Michael Binks, 37, was shown a picture of the wanted man and said: “He tried to buy a car from us. As soon as my boss saw his picture on the news he recognised him. “It’s a couple of months since we last saw him.”
The home secretary has described last night’s attack as “appalling” in a short statement, BBC News has reported. “Last night’s attack on a mother and her two children in Clapham was appalling,” James Cleverly said in a statement. “My thoughts are with them and the brave members of the public and police who intervened.”
There was a heightened police presence on Caledonian Road in north London, where Abdul Ezedi was last seen. Unmarked cars with blue sirens could be seen dotted around the area on Thursday afternoon. Police vans also drove around the area, PA Media reported.
The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, has spoken to BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme about the chemical assault in Clapham, which he called “truly shocking”. He said he had been in close contact with the police since last night. Khan said he was “incredibly proud of the passersby who ran to this woman and her children’s aid”. He thanked those members of the public and the police officers for their “heroism”.
That’s all from this blog for today. Thanks for following along. Goodnight.
Updated
In case you missed it earlier, detectives have named the man suspected of attacking a woman and her children with an alkaline corrosive substance as Abdul Ezedi, whom they described as “dangerous” and bearing “significant injuries” to the right side of his face.
Emergency services were called to Lessar Avenue in Clapham at about 7.25pm. The victims were taken to hospital along with passersby and police officers who were injured as they tried to help.
Scotland Yard has launched a manhunt, appealing for witnesses to come forward, but imploring anyone who sees Ezedi not to approach him.
The Metropolitan police have alerted other forces in case the 35-year-old suspect tries to flee London, with a superintendent, Gabriel Cameron, saying he was last seen in the Caledonian Road area of north London, and was believed to have travelled from the north-east of England to carry out the attack.
The home secretary has described last night’s attack as “appalling” in a short statement, BBC News has reported.
“Last night’s attack on a mother and her two children in Clapham was appalling,” James Cleverly said in a statement.
“My thoughts are with them and the brave members of the public and police who intervened.”
Bilal Khan, the owner of Billy’s Garage in Byker, said Ezedi had been “persistent” when trying to buy a car off him last summer.
Khan said:
He approached me last year asking if I had a car for sale. We had one which he was interested in and I told him the price. He was a very persistent type of guy, he doesn’t let things go easily.
He was coming and going back to me about the car but I told him ‘this is my price’.
Khan indicated that Ezedi lived in a nearby halfway house, and he preferred not to do business with its residents. “I try to keep my distance from people like that,” he said.
The negotiation over the car ended without a sale last summer and Khan said he had not seen Ezedi since around Christmas or new year, PA Media reported.
Asked if he was worried about the suspect returning to Newcastle, Khan said:
I don’t think so. If he knows the police and the media are after him then he will stay away, if he doesn’t get caught.
Updated
Police release new image of suspect Abdul Ezedi
The Metropolitan police have released a new image of Abdul Ezedi, the suspect in the Clapham alkaline substance attack.
Supt Gabriel Cameron said: “We are now releasing an image of the last known sighting of Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, which was on Caledonian Road, N1 at 8.48pm on Wednesday 31 January.
“The image is taken from the Tesco store, where Ezedi is believed to have purchased a bottle of water. He left the shop and turned right.
“The image shows Ezedi with what appears to be significant injuries to the right side of his face. This makes him distinctive.
“If you see Ezedi, call 999 immediately. He should not be approached.”
Updated
A mechanic in the Byker area of Newcastle said his boss recognised Abdul Ezedi as he had tried to buy a car from the business some months ago, PA Media reported.
Michael Binks, 37, was shown a picture of the wanted man and said: “He tried to buy a car from us. As soon as my boss saw his picture on the news he recognised him.
“It’s a couple of months since we last saw him.”
Binks thought the suspect was living at a nearby halfway house at the time.
Updated
There was a heightened police presence on Caledonian Road in north London, where Abdul Ezedi was last seen.
Unmarked cars with blue sirens could be seen dotted around the area on Thursday afternoon.
Police vans also drove around the area, PA Media reported.
Updated
What we know about the suspect, Abdul Ezedi
As police appeal for information about the suspect’s whereabouts, here is a summary of what we know so far:
Abdul Shokoor Ezedi is 35 years old and from the Newcastle area.
Police say the suspect has been left with “significant injuries to the right side of his face” following the incident.
It is believed he was known to the victims, a mother and two young daughters.
He was last seen was in Caledonian Road, north London, around 8 miles from Clapham but police have not said when.
Ezedi “could be going back” to Newcastle, police said.
Officers have urged the public not to approach Ezedi, after the Met previously described him as a “dangerous individual”.
British Transport Police are assisting with the manhunt.
If the public see Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, the advice is not to go near him, but instead to call 999.
Updated
Here are some images on the news wires from the scene of the chemical assault that took place on Lesser Avenue near Clapham Common, south London. There are also a couple from the press conference with Supt Gabriel Cameron on Thursday below:
Updated
Corrosive substances can be 'offensive weapons', says Sadiq Khan
The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, has spoken to BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme about the chemical assault in Clapham, which he called “truly shocking”. He said he had been in close contact with the police since last night.
Khan said he was “incredibly proud of the passersby who ran to this woman and her children’s aid”. He thanked those members of the public and the police officers for their “heroism”.
“Neighbours invited people in to their homes to wash their eyes with water. A local hotel nearby opened their doors to the police and to victims to wash out some of the corrosive substance,” said Khan, acknowledging that it can be difficult to know what to do in such an instance as a chemical assault.
Khan said attacks using corrosive substances had been reduced from hundreds to a handful as a result of new legislation, but he added that unfortunately household products – such as detergents and paint strippers – contain the substances that can cause such “huge damage” and pose a danger to the public.
Khan says corrosive substance are also “offensive weapons” alongside guns and knives. “Just as we are taking action, in terms of a public health approach, towards guns and knives, so we have got to do the same with this kind of stuff as well.”
He added: “We have to make it as difficult as possible for average people to get hold of dangerous substances.” Khan said the attack last night was targeted, so early intervention was “crucial”.
Updated
My colleague, Kevin Rawlinson has written the following news article on detectives naming the suspect wanted in connection with the chemical assault in Clapham. You can read the full piece at the link below:
Detectives have named the man suspected of attacking a woman and her children with an alkaline corrosive substance as Abdul Ezedi.
Scotland Yard has launched a manhunt, appealing for witnesses to come forward, but imploring anyone who sees him not to approach him.
The 35-year-old alleged attacker, from the Newcastle area, was described by the Metropolitan police superintendent Gabriel Cameron as having “significant injuries to the right side of his face” after the attack in Clapham in south London on Wednesday.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, the Labour MP for Streatham, has been at the scene in Clapham this morning. She told the BBC: “My first thoughts were with those who may have been harmed. It was a very, very scary thing to hear. And also all of the local residents are quite shocked and quite worried that something like this had happened.”
She thanked the members of the public and police officers who tried to help the victims: “It was so brave of all of them to come out and help in the way that they did.”
At the scene of last night's incident in Clapham.
— Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP (@BellRibeiroAddy) February 1, 2024
The community is understandably shocked and praying for the woman and her two children who were attacked as the search for the perpetrator, who was known to her, continues. pic.twitter.com/tlxNlKyvNy
Updated
A manhunt to trace Abdul Shokoor Ezedi is under way. He is wanted in connection with a corrosive substance attack in Clapham.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) February 1, 2024
If you see Ezedi, call 999 immediately. He should NOT be approached.
We are working with partner agencies and forces including the @BTP to locate and… https://t.co/wGyYdRMEI3
'No idea of the suspect's motivation', say police
Supt Gabriel Cameron was also asked about the car involved in last night’s assault. He said he believed it was the suspect’s car. It is a white Hyundai.
Questioned about the substance used in the assault, Cameron said: “We know it is a corrosive alkaline substance. We can buy all sorts in the high street.”
He said police didn’t yet know where the suspect lived but was “wholeheartedly confident we will catch him”. “He may have been known to police,” Cameron added. “I have no idea of the suspect’s motivation.”
Cameron also thanked members of the public – three women and one man – for trying to help the woman and her daughters who were allegedly targeted by Abdul Ezedi. He says that none of them sustained major injuries.
Updated
“We don’t know the actual relationship at this stage,” said Supt Gabriel Cameron at the press conference. “As far as I’m aware, the suspect has travelled down from Newcastle. At this stage I do not know where the victims reside.”
Asked whether Ezedi was a British national, Cameron said there were ongoing inquiries into that. He replied that there was a “significant asset looking for this male” when asked how many officers were involved in the man hunt.
Updated
Police release image of male suspect, Abdul Shokoor Ezedi
London’s Metropolitan police have released an image of the male suspect, Abdul Shokoor Ezedi. Police said call 999 if you see him.
Updated
Male suspect is believed to be from Newcastle, say police
Asked by a reporter at the scene about the scale of the manhunt, Supt Gabriel Cameron said:
We are liaising with our local other partners [and] agencies. We are working alongside Northumbria [police]. We believe the male is from the Newcastle area and he could be going back there. He might not be but he could be. British Transport Police (BTP) are working alongside us as well. We are working in collaboration with other agencies to try and locate this male.”
Updated
Police are looking for 35-year-old Abdul Ezedi last seen in north London
Supt Gabriel Cameron, attached to Lambeth police station, has just given an update to press gathered at the area in Clapham.
He described the chemical assault last night in Clapham as “horrific” and gave further details on the man police are looking for: a 35-year-old named Abdul Ezedi. Cameron said Ezedi was with the woman and children attacked last night but had left the scene. Ezedi was last seen in Caledonian Road, north London, he added.
“He has significant injuries to the right side of his face,” Cameron said. He urged: “If you see him … I plead [you] to not approach him. Call 999.”
Cameron has also confirmed that police will circulate photographs of Ezedi later. If anyone has any information, dashcam or doorbell footage, a number has been shared that will go straight to his officers, said Cameron. It is 02071 752784. Crimestoppers can also be contacted on 101.
Updated
Big team involved in manhunt - police
As we’ve already reported, the suspect in last night’s attack is still at large. Speaking to the BBC this morning, the Met’s Mark Rowley said this about the search:
We have a big team of officers, [including] the local officers who dealt with it assisted by colleagues. We are hunting for him as we speak.
He added:
It’s understandable that it’s frightening. This is a ghastly attack, and the first thing to say is we have a live manhunt.
We are due to hear more from the police shortly.
Updated
Earlier, the Met commissioner, Mark Rowley, told the BBC that “attacks using acid and chemicals are exceedingly rare”.
So how rare are they? The PA news agency has provided these statistics from the ONS:
Police in England and Wales recorded 472 violent and robbery offences involving a corrosive substance in the year to March 2023.
There were 525 recorded in the previous 12-month period.
The data is published annually but only dates back to March 2020, when current records began. The Home Office started collecting data on some offences involving corrosive substances from April 2019 as part of a government pledge to tackle such attacks.
The figures to March 2023 exclude any reports that may have been made to Devon and Cornwall police because the force has been unable to supply data due to problems with a new computer system.
Updated
The London Fire Brigade has issued a statement on what it calls last night’s “terrible incident”.
It says firefighters were on the scene within three minutes of the attack being called in.
Assistant commissioner Pat Goulbourne said:
Firefighters were on scene three minutes after being called to help at this terrible incident. This included specially trained crews and equipment to deal with hazardous materials incidents. Crews quickly treated a number of casualties at the scene alongside emergency service colleagues, whilst identifying the substance.
A number of people sustained injuries whilst coming to the aid of the woman and children. Injuries caused by corrosive substances can be very damaging and require immediate medical attention. It is important to call 999 immediately and to keep a safe distance from someone you believe to have been exposed to a hazardous substance.
At the scene: a sense of shock and disbelief
On Thursday morning, the sense of shock and disbelief at the scene was palpable. The attack took place on a leafy, affluent residential street in Clapham that joined a main road.
“This area, Clapham South as a whole, is a good area. Nothing tough happens here. Especially this road,” a resident said.
Members of the press were camped outside a small block of flats that overlooked the scene. Local councillors and MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy were also there.
One witness told the Guardian:
I was watching the Liverpool v Chelsea game when I started to hear screaming. I looked out of my window and saw a woman had got hit by a car.
Her daughter banged on the car window to tell the guy behind the wheel to get out.
At that point, he threw acid on her. Then he took a girl who must have been three years old out of the backseat and picked her up and smashed her on the floor twice.
Then he ran away because people started chasing him. After that I heard a woman screaming": ‘My eyes, my eyes, where are my children?’ She was running up and down with her eyes covered.
Neighbours came out and began splashing water in her eyes. The little kid kept on screaming: ‘Where is my mummy?’”
Another resident called the suspect “mad and bad” and said that while violence in the area was not common, “nowhere in London is safe”.
Updated
The Clapham South Belvedere Hotel, on Clapham Common South Side, has confirmed that its guests were victims of the attack last night.
A spokesperson said:
At 7.25pm last night, police and ambulance services were called to attend on a serious incident in which guests at the Belvedere Hotel were a victim.
Belvedere Hotel staff, having supported the work of the emergency services, have provided assistance to the guests affected and sought to reassure other hotel guests as to their safety and wellbeing.
The staff team will continue to provide assistance to guests and the police going forward.
As this is an ongoing police investigation, we are not able to provide any further comment.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those affected.
Updated
Sky News has obtained video footage of last night’s attack, which you can watch below.
Warning: some viewers may find it distressing
Our photographer Martin Godwin is at the scene of last night’s attack, where a police presence remains.
Updated
Clapham attack 'truly shocking', says London mayor
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has said last night’s chemical assault in Clapham is “truly shocking”.
He tweeted that his “thoughts are with all those who have been injured, especially the woman and two children who remain in hospital”.
He added:
The Met are doing all they can to urgently find the man seen fleeing the scene and have increased patrols in the local community. I urge anyone with any information to call the police on 101.
Last night’s incident in Clapham is truly shocking. My thoughts are with all those who have been injured, especially the woman and two children who remain in hospital.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) February 1, 2024
I’ve been in close contact with the Met Police since last night and want to pay tribute to the police officers… https://t.co/YzI6JOLqI0
Updated
A local Labour councillor, Alison Inglis-Jones, said the emergency services had arrived on the scene quickly. She told the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the ward was “one of the safest in Lambeth, so we are horrified at what has happened”.
She also posted a statement on X from Lambeth council, which you can see here:
Message from @lambeth_council
— Cllr Martin Abrams 🕊️🍉 (@Martin_Abrams) February 1, 2024
on the horrific violent attack in #Clapham last night.
If anyone has any information then please call 101 quoting CAD7790/31 Jan https://t.co/8KlipNQc9G pic.twitter.com/0BxV97g4Ip
Police are urgently appealing for anyone with information to come forward
A manhunt is under way to trace a suspect after a corrosive substance was thrown at a 31-year-old woman and her two daughters. Police are urgently appealing for anyone with information to come forward to help with the investigation.
Supt Gabriel Cameron, a senior officer who polices in Lambeth, said in an update on last night’s events: “The woman, who is aged 31, and her two daughters – aged eight and three – all remain in hospital. While none of their conditions are life-threatening, the injuries to the woman and younger girl could be life-changing. It may be some time before hospital staff are able to say how serious that might be.”
He commended members of the public, officers and nearby hotel staff for coming to the aid of the woman and the children. He said: “I also want to commend nearby hotel staff after victims and officers sought refuge and water there following the incident.”
Cameron said police were called to Lessar Avenue in Clapham at about 7.25pm on Wednesday, 31 January. He said:
A woman and two children were injured in a suspected corrosive substance attack in Lessar Ave #Lambeth #SW4 this evening.
— Lambeth Police | Central South BCU (@LambethMPS) January 31, 2024
An extensive crime scene is in place & the police helicopter is up while we investigate.
Can you help us? ☎️ 999 ref 7790/31 Jan.https://t.co/7XBegU8wSg
It was reported that a man had thrown a child to the ground and that a substance – which we now know to be alkaline – had been thrown. The man attempted to make off in a car but collided with a stationary vehicle, and then made off on foot, in the direction of Clapham Common.
Officers from across the Met are working with partner agencies and forces to locate and arrest the man. While this appears a targeted attack, he is a dangerous individual and we urgently need to find him. We will release more information about him as soon as we can.
Any members of the public who saw what happened can help us by calling 101quoting reference CAD 7790/31Jan. I also urge local people and drivers to check their doorbell and dash cameras for any footage that might have captured a man fleeing the area, and to please contact us immediately.
“An extensive crime scene is in place and is likely to remain in place for some time,” he added. The London fire brigade, London ambulance service and the national police air service also assisted last night, he said.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Updated
What we know so far:
A 31-year-old woman and her three-year-old daughter have sustained potentially life-changing injuries after an attack with an alkaline corrosive substance in Clapham, south London. Her eight-year-old daughter was also attacked.
Emergency services were called to Lessar Avenue in Clapham at about 7.25pm. The victims were taken to hospital.
Police say the man attempted to make off in a car but collided with a stationary vehicle, and then made off on foot, in the direction of Clapham Common.
Police are understood to have a probable identity for the attacker, who they believe was known to the victims.
A hunt for the suspect is under way and police are urgently trying to establish his associates and anyone who may help shelter him. Police have asked anyone with information to call 999.
A woman said she rescued the three-year-old girl after she was “thrown from a car”. She said she helped a girl, who told her she was three, and tried to help her older sister.
According to the BBC, four bystanders were injured when they tried to help. Three women – two in their 30s and one in her 50s – were injured when they tried to help. They’ve all been discharged from hospital with minor burn injuries. The fourth, a man in his 50s, declined hospital treatment for his minor injuries. Five police officers also suffered minor injuries and have left hospital.
Nearby hotel confirms guests were hurt in attack, says BBC
The BBC has a statement from a hotel on the corner of Lessar Avenue, where last night’s chemical attack took place. The Clapham South Belvedere Hotel told the broadcaster that at 7.25pm last night, “police and ambulance services were called to attend a serious incident in which guests at the Belvedere Hotel were a victim”.
It’s not clear which people caught up in last night’s incident were guests of the hotel, said the BBC.
The statement continues:
Belvedere Hotel staff, having supported the work of the emergency services, provided assistance to the guests affected and sought to reassure other hotel guests as to their safety and wellbeing.
The staff team will continue to provide assistance to guests and the police going forward. As this is an ongoing police investigation, we are not able to provide any further comment.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those affected.”
Updated
My colleagues, Emily Dugan and Vikram Dodd have the following report on the events:
A 31-year-old woman and her three-year-old daughter have sustained potentially life-changing injuries after an attack with an alkaline corrosive substance in south London.
The attack in Clapham on Wednesday evening also injured the woman’s eight-year-old daughter, the Metropolitan police said. Police are understood to have a probable identity for the attacker, who they believe was known to the victims.
A hunt for the suspect is under way and police are urgently trying to establish his associates and anyone who may help shelter him. Detectives are also checking police databases to see what is known about him, and other forces have been alerted to be on the lookout, in case he tries to flee London.
Updated
Mother and daughter's injuries could be life-changing
Commenting on the family’s injuries, the Met’s Supt Gabriel Cameron said: “While none of their conditions are life-threatening, the injuries to the woman and younger girl could be life-changing. It may be some time before hospital staff are able to say how serious that might be.”
Cameron added: “It was reported that a man had thrown a child to the ground and that a substance – which we now know to be alkaline – had been thrown. The man attempted to make off in a car but collided with a stationary vehicle, and then made off on foot, in the direction of Clapham Common.
“We believe the man and woman are known to each other. Our investigation is in its early stages and we are working to establish why this awful incident has happened.”
Updated
Twelve hurt in attack - police
Mark Rowley, the head of the Met police, has ben speaking to the BBC about the attack.
He confirms that the number of people injured in the attack has risen to 12.
Among those are a mother and two daughters, who appear to be the targets of the attack.
Where did the attack take place?
Emergency services were called to Lessar Avenue in Clapham at about 7.25pm. The victims were taken to hospital along with passersby and police officers who were injured as they tried to help.
Three women – two in their 30s and one in her 50s – who came to the aid of the family had since been discharged with minor burns injuries. Five police officers who were injured had all been treated and left hospital. A man in his 50s who also helped received minor injuries but declined hospital treatment.
One couple who ran into the street after hearing a cry for help and the sound of a car crashing described what they saw to the BBC.
Updated
Hunt for suspect after chemical attack
A 31-year-old woman and her three-year-old daughter have sustained potentially life-changing injuries after an attack with an alkaline corrosive substance in south London.
The attack in Clapham on Wednesday evening also injured an eight-year-old girl, the Metropolitan police said. A hunt for the suspect is under way.
Witnesses described a “horrific” scene after the woman and her two daughters were attacked.
A woman said she rescued the three-year-old girl after she was “thrown from a car”. Shannon Christi said she heard a bang and someone shouting for help in the street, and ran outside from her flat which overlooked the scene.
She said she helped a girl, who told her she was three, and tried to help her older sister.
Christi, a bus driver, said the attacker was wearing black clothes and that she felt he “definitely” knew the victims.
Updated
