London's Metropolitan police confirmed early on Friday that they were treating the incidents as linked after two suspects on a moped appeared to target four other moped users.

In all of the attacks, which took place within 90 minutes of each other, the two men threw acid or an unknown corrosive substance in their victims' faces, according to police

In two instances, one of the attackers then stole the victim's scooter.

One man has been left with "life changing injuries," while three others were taken to hospital for treatment.

Police called on Twitter for people to come forward with information.

One arrest reported

The attacks took places on busy streets in Hackney, Stoke Newington and Islington in east London between 10.25 p.m. local time (21.25 UTC) and 11.40 p.m.

Police say a 16-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of having caused grievous bodily harm and carrying out a robbery.

Unconfirmed reports on social media suggested some of the victims were food delivery drivers.

Last month, a 21-year-old woman and her cousin suffered horrific burns after a man threw acid through both windows of her car, as she was waiting at traffic lights in east London.