News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Fifteen acid attacks take place in Britain every week, a Daily Mirror investigation has found.

And disturbingly, many involve children – both as victims, and as attackers.

We found one case where a child of just two years old was the target, and another carried out by a boy of six.

From January 2015 until May this year, there were a total of 2,602 such crimes – equivalent to 15 a week. Yet from 2007 to 2011, only 100 were logged in total.

(Image: Daily Mirror) (Image: Ian Vogler / DAILY MIRROR)

Acid attack survivor Adele Bellis told us: “The thought that children as young as two have been caught up in these barbaric attacks is heartbreaking.

“We have to act now to protect others in the future.”

Even the figures we have may not give the full picture – four police forces did not respond in time to our requests for data. And many victims fail to report the crime for fear of being targeted again.

The Mirror is campaigning for tighter laws on the sale of acid, found in household products from paint stripper to drain cleaner. We are also demanding a crackdown on online sales.

Web giants Amazon and eBay both removed a 91% sulphuric acid cleaner from sale after we highlighted the ease with which it could be bought.

The product had been used in several attacks that led to hefty jail sentences. The number of crimes involving children is especially alarming. They include attacks in Cumbria by boys aged six and nine, targeting girls of just four and five.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

(Image: Getty)

In Manchester a “violent offence” was logged, using bleach against a six-year-old boy, and teens aged 14 and 15 were attacked on the train network.

And in Hertfordshire, two 11-year-olds were charged for attacks on older teens, while 12-year-olds used acid against others of the same age.

Gwenton Sloley, 34, a community out­­reach worker and former gang member from Dalston, East London, said acid and similar substances were now playground weapons.

And he called for primary schools to show the lifetime of harm attacks can cause.

(Image: Ian Vogler / DAILY MIRROR)

Gwenton said: “It will play on their consciences later.”

Almost three quarters of attacks – 73 per cent – took place in London. Substances used also included bleach, paint stripper and caustic soda.

Beautician Adele, of Lowestoft, Suf­­folk, suffered horrific injury when acid was thrown over her on the orders of former boyfriend Anthony Riley in 2014.

Adele, 26, said: “One moment of evil changed my life forever, it was worse than murder. I’m left scarred, broken and with my own life sentence.

“I wholeheartedly support the Mirror’s campaign to stop these deadly substances falling into the wrong hands.”