Police investigating 'noxious substance attack' in east London

Liquid 'melts victims' clothes', says police officer

Two teenagers in Tower Hamlets in east London have been attacked with a suspected noxious substance in east London, police have said.

Officers were flagged down in the area at 7pm on Tuesday by two males who believed to be aged in their late teens, the Metropolitan police said.

A police officer at the scene said the liquid thrown over the men was bleach. He told one Mail Online reporter that the bleach had discoloured their faces and burned through their clothing.

He added that the victims knew who the suspect was.

London Ambulance Service attended the scene, where paramedics were filmed dousing one man with liquid.

Both were taken to an east London hospital for treatment after the unknown liquid was thrown at them in Roman Road, E2. Their injuries are not life threatening, the Metropolitan Police said.

An investigation into the attack on the teenagers in progress, but no arrests have been made.

It comes after it was announced police are now equipped with acid response kits, following a spate of attacks in recent weeks, including five inside just 90 minutes in London.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd has suggested acid attackers will face life sentences, as the Government explored how to tackle a rise in the number of incidents.

Bethnal Green and Bow MP Rushanara Ali called for "urgent action" from Ms Rudd.

She added: "It's unacceptable that another attack with a corrosive substance has occurred in east London."