Crackdown after acid attacks
BRITAIN: Police are to use stopand-search powers to target people who carry acid in a crackdown on the possession of corrosive substances.
The move is part of a government strategy to confront the epidemic of acid attacks, including a rampage in which five people had a corrosive substance thrown in their faces on Thursday night local time. The Home Office will work with police chiefs to issue new guidance to officers.
An investigation by The Sunday Times this year found that children as young as 12 are carrying acid concealed in sports drinks bottles and taking it to school.
In the latest wave of assaults, ‘‘gig economy’’ workers delivering takeaways in north and east London were targeted by two moped riders, leaving one with life-changing injuries. Acid was used in five attacks in the space of 72 minutes.
One victim, Jabed Hussain, 32, an UberEats driver, said his ‘‘face felt like it was on fire’’ after being sprayed by the attackers, who then stole his scooter.
On Saturday night, local time, , a 16-year-old youth was charged with a series of offences in connection with the attacks, including robbery and grievous bodily harm. A second suspect, a boy of 15, was freed on bail.
Police were yesterday investigating a sixth possible acid attack in east London. A man in his twenties was squirted with a ‘‘noxious substance’’ by two people on a moped in Dagenham.
As part of the government review, tougher sentences for those found guilty of acid attacks will be considered.
The Home Office will work with the police and the Ministry of Justice to assess whether the powers available to the courts are sufficient to deal with the most serious cases.
Existing sentencing guidelines for grievous bodily harm, which carries a maximum life sentence, tell judges that an ‘‘ongoing effect upon the victim’’ and ‘‘gratuitous degradation of the victim’’ make the crime more serious. But there is no special offence or sentencing guidance for acid.
Crown Prosecution Service guidance to prosecutors will also be reviewed to ensure it makes clear that acid and other corrosive substances can be classed as dangerous weapons. In addition, the Poisons Act 1972 will be reviewed to assess whether it should cover more acids and harmful substances.
Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Kearton of the National Police Chiefs’ Council said: ‘‘Police have dealt with a number of highprofile cases in recent months, and we continue to collect data from police forces across England and Wales to understand the scale and extent of these attacks and develop our ability to support and protect victims.
‘‘While it is virtually impossible to ban the sale of all corrosive substances, we are working closely with the Home Office and retailers to determine how we can keep these products from people who intend to cause harm. I would urge anyone who is a victim of this type of attack to report it so that we can deal with the matter positively and sensitively.’’
Stephen Timms, a Labour MP who will lead a debate on acid attacks in the Commons today, has called for tougher sentences for those found guilty, while attack survivor Katie Piper said victims faced a ‘‘life sentence’’ as she called for tougher sentencing as a deterrent.
The TV presenter, author and charity campaigner has under- gone more than 250 operations after a former boyfriend arranged the assault nine years ago.
In an open letter published in the Scars, Burns & Healing medical journal on Friday, she revealed: ‘‘I couldn’t recognise myself when I woke up from a coma, and I wanted to commit suicide.’’
She added: ‘‘I will continue to need operations and therapy for life. For acid attack survivors, the aftermath is a life sentence.’’
The parliamentary debate follows an attack last month on Resham Khan, an aspiring model celebrating her 21st birthday, and her cousin Jameel Muhktar, when acid was thrown through their car window. John Tomlin appeared in court last week charged with two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent.
Corrosive substance attacks rose from 183 in 2012-13 to 504 in 2016-17 across Britain, according to data from 37 police forces. In London there were 458 cases last year of acid being used in crime, compared with 261 the previous year. - Sunday Times