Boy age 3 targeted in acid attack
The shock is universal. An attack on a small child is appalling ROBIN WALKER MP FOR WORCESTER
A THREE-year-old boy in a pushchair suffered serious burns after he was doused with acid inside a shop.
The act of “pure evil” left the traumatised toddler with injuries to his face and arm after he was “deliberately” targeted while out with his family.
The shocking incident happened inside a Home Bargains store and police have released CCTV images of three men they want to question.
Detectives have arrested a 39-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.
Witnesses saw a woman “crying and being comforted by police” shortly after the attack. Shopper Rachel Bryant, 22, said: “I assume the woman I saw could have been his mum or relative.
“It’s horrendous to think something like this could happen to a little boy in a shop on a Saturday afternoon.”
The emergency services were called to the Shrub Hill Retail Park, in Worcester, shortly after 2pm on Saturday.
Ambulances and two fire engines, including a hazardous materials specialist, were at the scene within eight minutes. The youngster was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was treated overnight before being discharged yesterday.
Worcester City Council leader Marc Bayliss has described what happened as “absolutely pure evil.”
Urging anyone with information to come forward, he said: “Think if this was a member of your family, an innocent child, a three-year-old probably scarred or damaged for life by this.
“We need to bring the perpetrators to justice – and quickly.”
Worcester mayor Jabba Riaz said the victim and his family live in the city. Yesterday, police forensics officers were seen scouring bins and looking under cars around the shop. It is understood they were hunting for the container which was used in the attack and to determine what the substance was.
Chief Superintendent Mark Travis described the three men in the CCTV images – one of whom has a topknot-style hair cut – as “very distinctive”.
He said the substance was “either thrown or sprayed” towards the boy, causing potentially life-changing injuries.
Mr Travis said: “Really nasty crime this, these men are very distinctive, they clearly, from behaviour, know each other well.” He added: “At this time, we are treating this as a deliberate attack on a three-year-old boy… the motive for the attack is unclear. Officers are working hard to establish exactly what happened and what the substance involved was.
“The three men in the photo may have information vital to our investigation.
“I am sure someone will recognise them and I urge anyone with information to contact us as a matter of urgency.”
Worcester MP Robin Walker said: “The shock will be universal. Anyone conducting such an attack on a small child is just appalling.
“It’s an issue which, rightly, there has been a lot of concern in Parliament about and a move to toughen sentences for any kind of acid attack.”
The Home Bargains store, one of more than 400 across Britain, reopened shortly before midday yesterday.
A spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts are with this young child and his family at this very difficult time.”
Toddler, 3, is injured in ‘deliberate’ acid attack while out with family