Call to make acid throwing cowards really pay as attacks soar by a third
ATTACKS involving acid and other corrosive liquids have soared by nearly a third in the past two years, it was revealed yesterday
By John Twomey
PUBLISHED: 00:00, Wed, Jan 13, 2016 | UPDATED: 17:15, Wed, Jan 13, 2016
Two acid attack victimsSWNS/PA
Acid attack victims Tara Quigley and Andreas Christopheros
A total of 242 people were either injured by or threatened with harmful substances compared with 186 in the previous 24 months.
The disturbing figures emerged from a Freedom of Information request.
Wayne Ingold, who had sulphuric acid thrown in his face in a case of mistaken identity in 2014, urged ministers to review legislation and sentencing.
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Father-of-two Mr Ingold, 57, of Witham, Essex, said: "There has to be a stronger deterrent because these crimes are on the rise.
It's got ridiculous now. One day someone will get killed
Acid attack victim Wayne Ingold
"It's got ridiculous now. One day someone will get killed.
"We had gun crime and knife crime - acid seems to be a cheaper alternative. How would these people feel if a member of their family was the victim?"
According to police figures, 503 people were injured by or threatened with corrosive substances between 2012 and 2015.
Sulphuric acid, drain cleaner, chromic acid solution, ammonia and patio cleaner were among the substances used in the assaults recorded between 2012 and 2015.
Jaf Shah, director of the Acid Survivors Trust International, said: "The British Government needs to look into this subject with far greater seriousness to understand why these attacks are occurring and what can be done to prevent them occurring.
"The Colombian government is taking action due to a huge public outcry which in turn led to changes in the law including tighter control on sale of acids and tougher sentencing of attackers. The fact that the majority of victims in the UK are men goes against the global pattern where women tend to be victims."
Attack victimPA
Wayne Ingold was attacked outside his house in a case of mistaken identity
The National Police Chiefs Council said violent crimes involving corrosive substances were on the rise in the UK and there were concerns that incidents were not being reported.
Deputy Chief Constable Andy Cooke, the NPCC's lead on violence and public protection, said: "The use of corrosive substances to commit acts of violence is something that we are seeing more of both in the UK and globally. This type of offence is extreme and generally a very personalised crime with the aim being to cause lasting physical and emotional damage to victims.
LetterPA
The letter Mr Ingold recieved from one of his attackers
"It is virtually impossible to ban the sale of all corrosive substances as many are household products, including for example bleach and drain cleaner, and are readily available over the counter at DIY and pharmacy stores, as well as supermarkets.
"I am sure that some offences of this type are not reported as a crime to the police. Crimes such as this should not go unreported and I would urge anyone who is a victim of this type of attack to report it so that we can deal with the matter positively and sensitively."
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