Police name suspect after woman and children hurt in chemical attack in Clapham

The Metropolitan Police are urging people not to approach the suspect in a chemical attack in south London.

A manhunt's underway for 35-year-old Abdul Ezedi, who's originally from the Newcastle area, following the incident in Clapham last night.

It's understood he has "significant injuries to the right side of his face", while a woman and two children were badly hurt.

"We will catch him, I'm wholeheartedly confident."

At a press conference the Met told our reporter they were confident of catching Ezedi.

Superintendent Gabriel Cameron, a senior officer who polices in Lambeth said:

"I want to acknowledge the considerable public concern following this terrible incident, and update on the injuries suffered by the victims.

"The woman, who is aged 31, and her two daughters - aged eight and three - all remain in hospital. While none of their conditions are life-threatening, the injuries to the woman and younger girl could be life-changing. It may be some time before hospital staff are able to say how serious that might be.

"I am sure the public will join me in saying they are in our thoughts and we wish them the fullest possible recovery.

The Metropolitan Police praised the efforts of the public

"Three women - two in their 30s and one in her 50s – who were injured when they bravely came to the aid of the family, have all been discharged from hospital with minor burns injuries. A man in his 50s who also helped declined hospital treatment for minor injuries he suffered.

"Five officers who were injured as they responded have all been treated and have left hospital.

"All these members of the public, and my officers, deserve enormous recognition and praise for coming to the aid of this woman and children in what must have been a terrifying scenario. We will provide them with all the support we can.

"I also want to commend nearby hotel staff after victims and officers sought refuge and water there following the incident.

"We were called to Lessar Avenue, SW4 at about 19:25hrs on Wednesday, 31 January.

"It was reported that a man had thrown a child to the ground and that a substance - which we now know to be alkaline - had been thrown. The man attempted to make off in a car but collided with a stationary vehicle, and then made off on foot, in the direction of Clapham Common.

Targeted attack

"We believe the man and woman are known to each other. Our investigation is in its early stages and we are working to establish why this awful incident has happened.

"Officers from across the Met are working with partner agencies and forces to locate and arrest the man. While this appears a targeted attack, he is a dangerous individual and we urgently need to find him. We will release more information about him as soon as we can.

"Any members of the public who saw what happened can help us by calling 101quoting reference CAD 7790/31Jan. I also urge local people and drivers to check their doorbell and dash cameras for any footage that might have captured a man fleeing the area, and to please contact us immediately.

"An extensive crime scene is in place and is likely to remain in place for some time. I thank colleagues from the London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service and the National Police Air Service who also assisted last night.

"I don't underestimate the impact this news will have had on the local community. My officers are in the area carrying out patrols and I urge you to speak to them if you have any information or concerns you want to share."

Police said in his attempt to drive away from the scene, the attacker crashed into a stationary vehicle and made off on foot.

Mr Cameron said the force was working in collaboration with Northumbria Police as Ezedi "could be going back" to Newcastle.

Ezedi is believed to have travelled down from Newcastle on the day of the attack, but detectives are currently unsure what led to the incident.

The officer said: "The male was last seen in the north London area - Caledonian Road - and if you see him... I plea for you not to approach him, call 999."

Mr Cameron said Ezedi may have been known to police previously.

He said: "At this stage I believe he may have been known to police, but he's not a local resident from London as far as I'm aware. He's come down from Newcastle."

Mr Cameron added that it was a "horrific crime" against a "vulnerable female".

Police in England and Wales recorded 472 violent and robbery offences involving a corrosive substance in the year to March 2023, the latest available figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.

There were 525 recorded in the previous 12-month period.

The data is published annually and only dates back to March 2020, when current records began.

The Home Office started collecting data on some offences involving corrosive substances from April 2019 as part of a government pledge to tackle such attacks.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.