By The Guardian (World News) | Created at 2024-10-01 09:40:11 | Updated at 2024-10-01 11:41:45
2 hours ago
A teenage girl has been left with potentially life-changing injuries after a substance, believed to be acidic, was thrown at pupils and staff at a west London school, according to police.
Officers on patrol were flagged down at 4.42pm on Monday by staff at the school in Alfred Road – understood to be Westminster academy – after the substance was allegedly thrown.
A statement on the academy website on Tuesday says the school is closed.
Officers who responded with paramedics and the London fire brigade found three people injured, including a 14-year-old girl “whose injuries may potentially be life-changing” and remains in hospital, police have said.
A 16-year-old boy, whose injuries are not life-threatening or life-changing, remains in hospital, while a 27-year-old woman, whose condition is also not life-threatening or life-changing, has been discharged from hospital.
Two officers were taken to hospital as a precaution after they reported feeling unwell.
“Tests of the substance are ongoing,” the Metropolitan police said. “At this stage officers believe it to be acidic. Urgent inquiries are under way to identify and arrest those responsible. A number of crime scenes are in place.”
The police said anyone who witnessed the incident, or who had information that could help should call 101 with the ref CAD 4987/30 Sept. To remain anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
