British police said they arrested a teenager after five acid attacks in east London left several people with facial injuries, including one with "life-changing" effects.

One of the victims had been on a moped when two assailants - also on a moped - pulled up alongside him and threw a corrosive substance in his face, the Metropolitan police said on Friday.

One of the riders then stole the victim's moped.

Police were called to the first acid attack at 21:25 GMT on Thursday, followed by four other incidents within the following hour and a half, all in the east London area, which police said they were treating as linked.

Officers said they were continuing to investigate but had arrested a young man.

"A male in his teens has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and robbery. He is currently in custody at an east London police station," a police spokesman said.

The assaults come just days after a separate incident in which a man appeared in court accused of throwing acid at an aspiring model and her cousin.