The video will start in 8 Cancel

News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A man has been charged following an acid attack in east London which left two men with "life-changing" injuries.

The men, aged 23 and 24, flagged down a police car for help around 7pm near Roman Road, Bethnal Green, before running into a shop screaming in agony for help.

The victims were taken to hospital after what police described as a noxious substance was thrown at them on Tuesday.

Rahad Hussain, 23, has been charged with two counts of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and one count of possession of an offensive weapon, namely acid.

(Image: Rex Features)

Earlier on Friday police said of the two injured men: "Whilst their condition is not being treated as life-threatening, it is being treated as life-changing."

Hussain, of no fixed address, is due to appear in custody at Thames Magistrates Court on Saturday.

A witness recalled the terrifying moment the two men ran into his shop begging for water.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: "“They said, ‘We’ve got acid on us, we’ve got acid on us!’

“They were pouring the water over themselves in the shop and it had got into their clothes – one of them was pouring it down his trousers.

“I was really scared. They were crying and saying, ‘Put the water on me!’”

(Image: Rex Features)

The incident follows a spate of attacks in the capital leaving victims scarred or even blind.

On July 13, five people were targeted in just 90 minutes in a string of horrific attacks in the north and east of London.

The attack comes after it was announced that police officers in London are being issued with 1,000 acid attack 'response kits' after a rise in the number of crimes involving corrosive liquids.

Rapid response police cars will now carry the kits, which include protective gear and five-litre bottles of water, to allow officers to give immediate treatment to victims sprayed with acid.