Investigation launched after liquid sprayed at people in Waltham Abbey fast food restaurant
The victims initially thought the liquid was water, but their eyes and skin started stinging
Officers have launched an investigation following an incident in Waltham Abbey yesterday where liquid was sprayed at employees in a fast food restaurant.
Police were called to reports of a disturbance where four suspects had gone into McDonald's on the Highbridge Industrial Estate at just after 5.30pm and squirted a substance at a number of people.
The victims initially thought the liquid was water, but their eyes and skin started stinging and they immediately called emergency services.
Six people received medical attention and were taken to hospital. Thankfully none of the injuries received are described as serious.
The suspects, described as white men, fled the scene.
Detectives and local officers are carrying out extensive enquiries to understand the circumstances and identify those responsible.
Epping Forest and Brentwood District Commander, Chief Inspector Terry Fisher, said:
"We know this incident will have been very concerning to customers and staff.
"We want to reassure you that we are carrying out a thorough investigation so we can establish what happened and the circumstances which led up to it.
"We are exploring all options including whether this was an attempted robbery.
"Luckily no-one was seriously injured, but this type of violent behaviour will not be tolerated in Essex.
"We will be carrying out test to understand exactly what type of liquid was used in this incident and I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident, has video footage or any other information to contact us immediately.
If you have any information about this incident, including dashcam footage from the surrounding car park area, please contact us quoting incident number 1038 of 24 June."