11 police hurt in drugs raid acid attack
ELEVEN police officers are in hospital after being sprayed with a “corrosive” substance during a drugs raid yesterday.
The armed officers were attacked as they carried out a warrant on premises at an industrial estate in Barnet, north London.
Police are waiting for an assessment of the extent of their injuries, but none is believed to be in a lifethreatening condition.
Officers stripped off some of their clothing and shoes to escape the burning substance.
Pictures later showed the discarded items strewn in the road near the site in High Barnet.
A number of suspects arrested at the scene on suspicion of drug offences have also been taken to hospital after suffering injuries related to the substance.
Their conditions are not to be life- threatening.
Borough Commander Roy Smith said: “I am extremely grateful to colleagues from our Specialist Firearms Command who put themselves at risk to protect our communities, and colleagues from London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service who came to their assistance using our well- established protocols for dealing with this type of incident.
“I’d like to reassure the community there is no ongoing risk.”
He confirmed that the incident not being treated as terror- related.
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards has also been informed. believed is