An MP today led calls for the Government to consider licensing the sale of corrosive liquids to combat a surge in acid attacks.

Stephen Timms, who represents East Ham, has written to Home Secretary Amber Rudd about the growing anxiety among his constituents.

Latest figures reveal that almost a quarter of the 1,800 reported attacks in the past five years have taken place in Newham.

More than 200 people marched on Stratford station last night to raise awareness of the problem and demand that sales of acid are regulated. They say Muslims — particularly women — are being targeted and believe that many of the attacks are racially motivated.

Mr Timms told Ms Rudd: “There is growing anxiety in London about the frequency of acid attacks. It has been suggested that ministers may consider restricting sales of corrosive acids, or go further, and introduce a licensing scheme for those purchasing particular corrosive substances. Both have support of many of the constituents, as well as the local authority.”

Tahira Ahmed, 35, who attended the protest with her two young children, said: “I have been getting a lot of warnings from people on social media.

“I’m scared I could be walking at any time with my children and a man could just throw it at my face, I’m worried about my children more than anything. You don’t even need ID to buy it.”

An online petition to restrict sales of corrosive substances to licensed buyers has attracted almost 300,000 signatures after aspiring model Resham Khan, 21, and her cousin Jameel Muhktar, 37, were sprayed through their car window when they pulled up at traffic lights in Beckton on June 21.

Detectives are treating the attack as a hate crime and want to speak to John Tomlin, 24.

This week, a 27-year-old man suffered severe burns after being squirted with acid as he walked with a woman, 40, in Mile End.

Police say they are hunting three youths who attacked the pair at 2am in Burdett Road on Tuesday.

Lyn Brown, MP for West Ham, condemned the “truly, absolutely shocking” nature of acid attacks, which she said have fostered a “climate of fear” in the area. Obaid Khan, a councillor in Newham, said: “We shouldn’t be living like this. People are too scared to answer their doors for the delivery man in case they are randomly attacked.

“My constituents are genuinely terrified. It’s a life-changing injury. People lose their jobs, their whole lives because of acid attac