Boy in pushchair has acid thrown in face on family shopping trip
A THREE-YEAR-OLD boy was badly injured yesterday when acid was thrown in his face as he sat in his pushchair in a busy shop.
A 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm and remains in custody.
However, the motive behind the acid attack remains unclear and yesterday police released images of three men who were near the child victim when it happened.
They also issued a new appeal for any other witnesses to the shocking incident to come forward.
The incident took place inside a Home Bargains discount store in Shrub Hill Retail Park, Tallow Hill, Worcester, yesterday afternoon.
The three men photographed by CCTV were said to be “in very close proximity” to the child when the attack took place.
Ambulances attended the scene and the boy was treated for serious burns to his arms and face.
He has been released from hospital but it is not known if the injuries he suffered are life-changing.
Rachel Bryant, 22, said she was on her way to the shop with her mother when they saw police and ambulances.
“I saw a woman crying and being comforted by police. I didn’t know what it was all about,” she said.
Mark Travis, chief superintendent of West Mercia Police, said: “A young family were out shopping and a substance appears to either have been thrown or sprayed towards a three-year-old child who was in a pushchair.
“The incident will rightly shock the local community and I would like to reassure local people that we are carrying out a thorough investigation to identify those responsible.
“Clearly we are working with the family to understand the motive of the attack.
“The child was with family members and was being well looked after and remained
‘Think if this was a member of your family, an innocent child, a three-year-old probably scarred for life’
with family all the way through to hospital.”
Marc Bayliss, the leader of Worcester City Council leader, said the attack was “absolutely pure evil”. He added: “Worcester is not that sort of place. We are a quintessential small English city.”
He urged anyone with information to come forward, adding: “Think if this was a member of your family, an innocent child, a three-year-old probably scarred or damaged for life by this.”
An English Defence League protest was taking place half a mile away from the shop but Jabba Riaz, the Mayor of Worcester, said there was no link.