A YOUNG mother has suffered facial burns after becoming the target of a suspected 'acid attack' carried out by a gang of youths.

The 21-year-old had a white foam-like substance thrown in her face – which she said smelt like bleach – as she went to investigate a baby's cries in an alleyway in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

She suffered a first degree burn close to her right eye and was treated in hospital following Monday night's apparent random and motiveless attack.

Police later conducted house to house enquires following the attack between Stephenson Way and Wright Close and described it as a "concerning incident".

Speaking at the home of the shocked mother-of-one, who wishes to remain anonymous, a family member said: "They will do it again if they don't get caught and when they realise how serious it is they won't be laughing anymore."

The assault in Newton Aycliffe comes after a rising number of so-called acid attacks across the UK. It has been reported such incidents more than doubled since 2012 - soaring by 74 per cent in the last year alone.

This has prompted calls for a tightening of regulations concerning the sale of such corrosive substances, which are also found in everyday household items such as bleach and drain cleaner.

The victim said she heard a baby crying in the area of the alleyway at about 8.40pm and went to see if anything was wrong.

She recalled: "A group of teenagers were talking between themselves at the end of the cut.

"I saw the woman who was with the child and then she crossed (Stephenson Way).

"I turned around and was on my phone, they were at the side of me and I felt something hit the side of my face and heard the teenagers run off towards the town centre. I didn't look back properly."

She said she felt a "burning sensation" but does not know what substance was thrown at her.

"It was like a white liquid and smelt like bleach," she added. "It was quite sore and as soon as I got in I washed it straight off and went upstairs to wash it out my hair."

Police officers took her to Darlington Memorial Hospital, who returned later that night, and carried out investigations in the area.

It is understood there were about seven to eight youths present during the attack.

The victim, who suffered a first degree burn, believes there were more females in the group than males.

Inspector Sarah Honeyman said: "This is a concerning incident that we are currently investigating and we would appeal for anyone with information, or who witnessed anything or has heard something about this to get in touch."

In 2012 there were 183 reports of acid attacks in the UK, compared to the 504 reports last year.

The majority were in London where in July five attacks took place within 90 minutes - prompting calls for the Government to tighten regulations on the sale and possession of acid and other corrosive substances.

And while the majority of incidents have happened in the capital, similar incidents are cropping up elsewhere.

According to Freedom of Information Act (FOI) figures, Cleveland Police dealt with 18 reports of violent attacks involving acid or other noxious substances between 2011-2016.

And since the beginning of 2015, Northumbria Police has recorded 63 offences involving acid or other corrosive substances, according to FOI figures.

Until this week it is understood Durham Constabulary, in the same time frame, had no reports of incidents involving toxic chemicals.