Police are investigating after a woman was reportedly attacked with a "noxious substance" outside a Tube station in south London.

Officers believe the woman, in her 20s, was travelling on a bus at the time of the incident in Brixton Road, near Brixton station, at about 1.45pm.

The victim has been taken to hospital and police have confirmed her injuries were not life-changing or life-threatening.

Police were called to Brixton Road, SW9 at 13:45hrs by @LDN_Ambulance following reports of a woman in her twenties being the victim of a noxious substance attack. She may have been on a bus. Officers and LAS are on scene. No arrests. We await an update on the woman’s condition. — Lambeth MPS (@LambethMPS) May 8, 2018

They said she did not suffer any major burns.

No arrests have been made and officers are looking for a male suspect.


"This attack appears to be a targeted & not random," Lambeth Police said in statement posted to Twitter.

The woman is believed to have been the victim of a targeted attack, police say. Her injuries are not thought to be life-changing. It comes after a spate of violent incidents in London over the bank holiday weekend. pic.twitter.com/B8Hd3TqTNl — David Mercer (@DavidMercerSky) May 8, 2018

The woman injured on the bus as a result of the suspected noxious substance has been taken to hospital. Her condition is not life changing or life threatening. No major burns. Enquiries continue to trace the single male suspect. This appears to be targeted & not random attack — Lambeth MPS (@LambethMPS) May 8, 2018

Reports on social media described the victim being hosed down with water by firefighters.

A witness told Sky News: "There was too much crowd... her face was OK, nothing wrong but she said she said she felt burning and she threw the water over her head.

"She was breathing fast, panting."

The attack comes after three people were injured when they were doused with a "noxious substance" during a fight between two groups in Hackney, east London, on Sunday.

Image: Brixton Road in south London on Tuesday afternoon

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "The woman believed to be aged in her 20s was treated at the scene as she got off the bus. She was then taken to a central London hospital for treatment.

"Her condition is not life changing or life threatening. She has no major burns.

"Enquiries continue to trace the single male suspect involved. This incident appears to be targeted and not a random attack.

"The bus - which is believed to be the scene of the attack - continues to be examined. A crime scene remains in place and temporary road closures are in effect. At this stage, this attack is being treated as GBH."