16-year-old boy remains in custody after two separate acid attacks on delivery drivers in Walthamstow and Tottenham

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Detectives investigating two separate acid attacks in London last week have arrested a second boy on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.



The 16-year-old was arrested on Saturday night and remains in custody at an east London police station.

A 14-year-old boy who was arrested on Friday on suspicion of GBH has been released under investigation.

At about 6pm on 2 November a fast food delivery driver was approached in Walthamstow by two men on a scooter as he delivered pizza.



They demanded he hand over his keys and, during a subsequent struggle, he was sprayed in the face with a corrosive substance. The victim, a 32-year-old man, was wearing a helmet with the visor up and received substantial injuries to his eyes and face.

The suspects, one wearing a white helmet and the other a black helmet, fled on their moped.

The victim was treated at the scene with water and taken to an east London hospital, where he remains in a critical condition after inhaling the substance. He may lose the sight in both eyes.

Police have appealed for information. Det Ch Insp Gordon Henderson of Waltham Forest CID said: “This attack has left a man fighting for his life and with terrible eye injuries. This was an innocent man going about his work as a delivery driver, who may never see again.

“This is not a time to hesitate, if you have any information about this crime I would appeal that you immediately call police. Your phone call could save some other innocent person; it is imperative that we arrest those responsible.”

Detectives are also investigating a second incident at 6.30pm on the same night in nearby Tottenham, in which a corrosive substance was thrown in a delivery driver’s face.

This second victim, also 32, was approached by two men on a scooter who attempted to steal his moped. The corrosive substance was thrown in his face before the suspects fled on a moped.

The victim was treated in hospital but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

Police have not established whether the two incidents are linked, but detectives in Tottenham and Waltham Forest are liaising closely.