London acid attacks: Two teenage boys arrested after five assaults in 90 minutes across city

A SECOND teenage boy is in custody after two males on a moped carried out five acid attacks across London in less than 90 minutes.

The teenagers – aged 15 and 16 – were arrested on suspicion of robbery and grievous bodily harm following the assaults, which the Metropolitan Police said appeared to be linked.

Two involved victims having their mopeds stolen, while one victim has been left with “life-changing” injuries after being doused on Thursday night in the east of the capital, the force added.

Police said the 15-year-old was arrested at an address in Stoke Newington on Friday morning, while the 16-year-old was arrested in the early hours of Friday in Kingsbury Road after he was identified near the scene of the offences by local authority CCTV operators.

Both suspects are in custody at a north London police station.

Chief Inspector Ben Clark, from Hackney Borough, said all of the victims were riding mopeds, adding that it is not the case that they were all food delivery riders.

He said: “This is a fast moving investigation and we have made two arrests today.

“However, I would like to ask the public for their help. Each of these offences took place in busy locations and we know there may be witnesses who have not yet contacted us. If you saw something or managed to film or photograph anything that might help us please get in touch.

Police and ambulances on Hackney/Queensbridge Road, possible acid/petrol attack. Lots of @UberEATS @Deliveroo drivers rallied round pic.twitter.com/ndAtXV9Kj8

— Sarah Cobbold (@sarah_cobbold) July 13, 2017

“These are hideous offences and must have been very frightening for all of the victims.

“I’m aware of rumours circulating that the victims were all food delivery riders set up in advance of the attacks. This is not the case. All victims were riding mopeds at the time of the attacks, but were from a variety of backgrounds.

“Of late we have seen more attacks using corrosive substances in London. I would urge businesses and parents to challenge those who they think may be trying to obtain or carry these substances as this could help prevent serious offences and life-changing injuries being caused.”