Video footage released in hunt for thugs over suspected acid attack near Harrods

Fiona Simpson8 August 2017
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Police have released CCTV footage in the hunt for men wanted over a suspected acid attack near Harrods.

The dramatic footage shows two suspects, clad in black leathers and black helmets, speeding away from the scene of the attack which left a 47-year-old injured on Tuesday.

Officers rushed to Walton Place, Knightsbridge, after two men allegedly hurled a liquid in the pedestrian's face.

He was rushed to hospital by paramedics from London Ambulance Service and later discharged with minor injuries.

The footage, released on Thursday, was captured in the moments after the incidents as the suspects fled towards Draycott Avenue, Chelsea.

The shirtless victim is treated in the street after being sprayed with the liquid during a robbery

The victim can be seen wandering in the middle of the road as the moped speeds off.

A taxi driver, delivery driver and a businessman were among those who rushed to help the injured man.

Detectives are still working to establish if the liquid used in the attack – believed to be an attempted robbery - was corrosive.

Police at the scene of the robbery near Harrods

Witnesses told the Standard how the latest acid-type incident took place when robbers targeted the pedestrian for his expensive watch outside a row of multi-million pound properties.

Fouzi Kebir, 46, a chauffeur, told how he rushed out to help the victim from one of the houses after hearing a disturbance in the street.

He said: “We heard someone screaming like they were being attacked. I looked out and there was a guy on the bike going up and down the street.

"There was another who was attacking the man, spraying something in his face from a bottle or a spray gun, I can’t be sure.”

No arrests have been made following the incident and police are appealing for help in tracing the men.

The fresh appeal comes as Hackney Council announced shops would ask young customers buying acid-based cleaning products for ID following a spate of attacks across the capital in recent weeks.

An Evening Standard investigation revealed the ease with which sulphuric acid as strong as 95 per cent can be bought from hardware stores with no questions asked.

Any witnesses, anyone with any information or in possession of footage of the incident should contact police via 101, or via Twitter @MetCC.

To give information anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

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