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.
