A 16-year-old boy has been seriously injured after an unknown substance in a bottle was sprayed in his face.

The youngster was attacked with a possible corrosive liquid following a dispute with another male in Bristol, police said.

The incident happened close to a Pizza Express restaurant, off Merlin Road, at Cribbs Causeway, at around 8.45pm on Saturday.

Officers said the victim was taken to hospital suffering potentially life-changing injuries that are not life-threatening.

Police are still searching for the container used in the attack and have warned the public not to pick up discarded bottles at the scene of the assault.


Detective Inspector Richard Marsh said: "This is a very concerning incident in which a bottle containing an unknown substance, possibly a type of corrosive, has been sprayed into the face of a teenage boy.

"The victim is being looked after in hospital by medical experts but has some serious injuries which may be permanent.

"There would have been many people around the Pizza Express restaurant and neighbouring venues who would have seen or heard what happened and we'd ask them to get in touch as soon as possible.

"A cordon will be in place while we carry out further inquiries today.

"We'd also like to advise the public the bottle used in the incident hasn't been located so if anyone finds a discarded bottle containing liquid in the immediate area, we'd ask them not to pick it up, but please alert one of the police officers at the scene."

Witnesses or anyone with information can contact police on 101 giving the reference number 5218196394, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.