Masked raiders launch suspected acid attack on man as he slept in his own home

Scottish police hunt for two men in balaclavas after unknown substance sprayed on resident

The attack took place on Hunter Drive in North Ayrshire town of Irvine (Google Maps)

Police in Scotland are investigating whether acid was used in an attack on a sleeping man who was left with injuries to his face.

The possible corrosive attack happened in the home of a 40-year-old man in Irvine, North Ayrshire, shortly before midnight on Thursday.

Two masked men broke into the house at 11.50pm and sprayed an unknown substance on the victim while he slept.

The two attackers, wearing balaclavas, fled the home following the break in.

After calling the emergency services, the victim was taken by ambulance to Crosshouse Hospital for treatment to facial injuries. Staff described his condition as stable.

Police Scotland are now searching for the suspects and have appealed for witnesses who may have seen them in the area around Hunter Drive.

Detective Sergeant Martin Prendergast said: “Enquiries are at a very early stage to establish exactly what has happened here and why, however at this time we believe that the victim was sprayed with some sort of substance, causing him injuries.

“We are appealing for anyone who was in the area of Hunter Drive just before midnight and may have seen two men wearing balaclavas, or anything at all suspicious, to please get in touch.”

At the end of last year, the UK was found to have one of the highest numbers of acid attacks per person recorded anywhere in the world.

Rachel Kearton, the assistant chief constable of Suffolk Police and the National Police Chiefs Council lead on corrosive attacks, said accident and emergency departments were treating more people for corrosive injuries than being reported to police.

Last week three car-jackers were found guilty of launching acid attacks on unsuspecting drivers, including the former boxer Michael Watson and his carer.

Additional reporting by Press Association