In a City News exclusive, new Freedom of Information Act data reveals corrosive fluid offences are rising across the capital.
Whilst the Government is aiming to tighten regulation on the buying and selling of acid, individuals are finding ways to use acid as a weapon.
According to data from the Metropolitan Police, there has been a steady increase in corrosive fluid attacks in London since 2014.
Overall offenses reached 909 last year, with only 848 in 2017.
Of these attacks, only 34% were strictly categorised as ‘violent’.
Men are more likely to be a victim of an attack than women. Data from 2018 showed there were 216 male victims, compared to 122 women.
Lord Brian Paddick. Credit: Marina Jenkins
Lord Brian Paddick is a Liberal Democrat and London’s former Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the MET Police.
He spoke to City News about how the Government is combatting this issue.
“The government has got itself into a complete mess. If you order from overseas, you can have acid delivered to your home.
“The evidence shows that there are predominantly more white people involved, and that domestic violence is the cause for most of the attacks.
“The evidence that gang culture and acid attacks are linked does not seem to be there,” ended Paddick.
Jaf Shah, executive director of Acid Survivors Trust International, believes the data highlights the deep-rooted social issues across London.
“Attacks are happening in three neighbouring East End boroughs – this is down to cuts in youth services, employment issues, bad education and high levels of poverty.”
Home Secretary Sajid Javid has announced new stop and search powers for the police to help prevent acid attacks, part of the Offensive Weapons Bill.
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StandfirstFOIA request reveals men are more likely to be acid attack victims in London than women.
In a City News exclusive, new Freedom of Information Act data reveals corrosive fluid offences are rising across the capital.
Whilst the Government is aiming to tighten regulation on the buying and selling of acid, individuals are finding ways to use acid as a weapon.
According to data from the Metropolitan Police, there has been a steady increase in corrosive fluid attacks in London since 2014.
Overall offenses reached 909 last year, with only 848 in 2017.
Of these attacks, only 34% were strictly categorised as ‘violent’.
Men are more likely to be a victim of an attack than women. Data from 2018 showed there were 216 male victims, compared to 122 women.
Lord Brian Paddick. Credit: Marina Jenkins
Lord Brian Paddick is a Liberal Democrat and London’s former Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the MET Police.
He spoke to City News about how the Government is combatting this issue.
“The government has got itself into a complete mess. If you order from overseas, you can have acid delivered to your home.
“The evidence shows that there are predominantly more white people involved, and that domestic violence is the cause for most of the attacks.
“The evidence that gang culture and acid attacks are linked does not seem to be there,” ended Paddick.
Jaf Shah, executive director of Acid Survivors Trust International, believes the data highlights the deep-rooted social issues across London.
“Attacks are happening in three neighbouring East End boroughs – this is down to cuts in youth services, employment issues, bad education and high levels of poverty.”
Home Secretary Sajid Javid has announced new stop and search powers for the police to help prevent acid attacks, part of the Offensive Weapons Bill.
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