‘No-go areas’ terror
FEARS of acid attacks have turned parts of Britain into “no-go areas”.
Labour MP Stephen Timms is demanding “significant action” to fight against the growing epidemic.
He claimed there were parts of London where moped delivery drivers “are not willing to go because of the danger of attack”.
He added: “I think all of us regard it as unacceptable that there are no-go areas in parts of London and parts of the UK.
“It requires some significant action to deal with the problem.”
The MP for East Ham in London revealed the UK had the highest number of acid attacks per person in the world.
Fellow Labour MP Lyn Brown urged the Government to take a tougher stance on dangerous substances as “people were living in fear”.
The calls follow the conviction of 25-year-old Arthur Collins for a nightclub acid attack that left 14 revellers with horrific injuries.
The ex-boyfriend of reality TV star Ferne McCann, 27, was caged for 20 years with an extended five years on licence.
He must serve at least 13 years before being eligible for parole.
Home Office minister Victoria Atkins ® said she hoped that the sentence would “ring aloud across the streets of London” that the horrific crime will not be tolerated. Sentencing, Judge Noel Lucas QC said the public were “understandably frightened” at living under the threat of the “horrendous” act, particularly in London.
He said: “The carrying and use of corrosive fluid is now a significant and growing problem in London, and in particular in the east of London.”
Other victims include model Resham Khan, who was doused with a corrosive liquid while sitting in a car in Beckton, east London.
In July, two teenage moped riders threw acid at people in a 90-minute attack spree in Islington, Stoke Newington and Hackney in London.
Acid-related offences have risen in the capital by nearly 300% in four years.
And there were a staggering 837 attacks in just the first 11 months of this year, according to Metropolitan Police figures. There have also been attacks in other parts of the country. Andreas Christopheros was left blind and scarred for life after a man hurled battery acid across his face in Truro, Cornwall.