Corrosive liquids for sale at pocket-money prices

DESPITE pressure on Government officials there are no age restrictions on buying sulphuric acid or drain cleaner.

There have been reports of the products being offered over the counter in pound shops at pocket money prices.

Many gangs favour using acid rather than knives as they will then risk facing charges of grievous bodily harm rather than attempted murder.

But last month, Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced plans to crack down on the criminals who are carrying and throwing acid.

This and other caustic substances would be classed as dangerous weapons and police will be able to use stop-and-search powers to target people who carry them.

Mrs Rudd has also hinted that she is considering allowing life sentences for those who carry out the attacks.

More than 400 acid or corrosive substance attacks took place in England and Wales during the six months up to April 2017 – with bleach, ammonia and acid the most commonly used dangerous liquids.

The Scottish Government has been criticised for failing to keep track of the extent of such assaults north of the Border.

Last week, Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: ‘Information on the number of acid attacks over the last five years is not held centrally.

‘The statistics for assault held do not differentiate when corrosive substances have or have not been used.’