Woman attacked with 'corrosive substance' after trying to help crying baby in County Durham

Victim, 21, left with chemical burns after attack in Newton Aycliffe

The attack happened as the victim was walking through an alleyway from Stephenson Way towards Wright Close in Newton Aycliffe. (Google Streetview)

A woman has been left with a chemical burn on her face after being attacked with a corrosive substance in County Durham.

Local reports said the victim had gone into an alley because she heard the sound of a crying baby in the town of Newton Aycliffe when she encountered a gang of teenagers.

Durham Police said someone from the group of seven or eight girls and boys threw the liquid on her face before fleeing in the direction of the town centre at around 8.20pm on Monday.

The 21-year-old victim described the substance as being white and foam-like, and smelling of bleach.

Inspector Sarah Honeyman, from Newton Aycliffe’s neighbourhood police team, said: “This was obviously a very concerning incident for the victim, which left her needing hospital treatment.

“At this moment in time we don’t know what the substance was, but officers are working to determine what it was that was thrown.

“We’d like to reassure people that we believe this to be an isolated incident and would appeal for anyone who has any information to come forward.

“These youths may well be talking about the incident, so we would also like to appeal to anyone who may have overheard them talking about it to get in touch.”

One of the girls in the group was wearing a black puffer jacket and blue jeans, police said.

The incident was the first reported corrosive substance attack in Durham since a spate of similar assaults elsewhere in the UK.

London has so far been the epicentre of the attacks, including five attacks that were launched in 90 minutes last month, and several that have left people with life-changing injuries.

Many of the attackers have been riding mopeds and police say acid is being used as part of attempted robberies, to force victims to leave their vehicles or belongings so they can be stolen.

Concerns have been raised over a potential copycat effect from the recent increase in crimes, with campaigners warning that gang members now see acid attacks as a “safer” form of crime following crackdowns on guns and knives.

The Home Office has announced a new strategy to combat acid attacks, including a review of existing laws, sentencing powers and potential licencing to restrict the sale of harmful substances.

Anyone with information on the Newton Aycliffe incident is 101, quoting incident number 508 of 31 July.