"Hand yourself in" - Police message to chemical attack suspect

Police have made a direct appeal to the chief suspect in a corrosive substance attack in south London.

"Abdul, you clearly have got some very significant injuries.

"We've seen the images. You need some medical help, so do the right thing and hand yourself in."

Commander Jon Savell said the manhunt for Abdul Ezedi continues after he was suspected of carrying out a chemical attack in London on Wednesday.

"In terms of our manhunt for Ezedi, we've got a large team of very experienced detectives leading the manhunt, using all the tactics that you would expect us to use, lots of officers out on the ground.

"We're working very closely with colleagues from Transport for London, British Transport Police and our colleagues in Northumbria Police as well.

"Last night, five search warrants were executed - two in East London and three up in Newcastle. We've recovered some significant and important pieces of evidence which will help with our investigation."

They 35-year-old - a convicted sex offender - is said to have significant injuries to his face following the incident in Clapham.

Detectives have confirmed a woman has life-changing injuries, but her two daughters are recovering well.

"The mother remains very poorly in hospital and she's sedated at the moment. We expect that those injuries will be life-changing."

He said the two children who were with her do not have injuries as serious as initially thought.

He said: "They are not likely to be life-changing (injuries). They remain with mum in the care of the NHS and we, of course, wish them the very best recovery that we can."

Officers carried out five raids earlier - two in east London and three in Newcastle.

Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell told reporters on Friday that "significant and important pieces of evidence" were recovered in searches carried out in east London and Newcastle on Thursday night.

He said: "In terms of our manhunt for Ezedi, we've got a large team of very experienced detectives leading the manhunt, using all the tactics that you would expect us to use, lots of officers out on the ground.

"We're working very closely with colleagues from Transport for London, British Transport Police and our colleagues in Northumbria Police as well.

"Last night, five search warrants were executed - two in East London and three up in Newcastle. We've recovered some significant and important pieces of evidence which will help with our investigation."

Police urged the public to help in their efforts to trace Abdul Ezedi, describing it as "really important".

Timeline of Ezedi’s movements on Wednesday, 31 January

00:15 – Ezedi’s vehicle is seen in Newcastle

06:30 – His vehicle is then seen traveling into Tooting, London

16:30 – A further sighting of his vehicle is confirmed in Croydon

19:00 – He is then seen driving in Streatham

19:25 – Attack takes place in Lessar Avenue, SW4, before Ezedi makes off in his vehicle which crashes nearby. He leaves the car and runs off.

19:33 – Ezedi boards a train at Clapham South Tube Station.

19:59 – He is then seen leaving that train at King’s Cross Tube Station.

20:42 – He is then seen on CCTV leaving Tesco at 21 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DX. He exits and turns right.

21:00 - Ezedi enters King’s Cross Tube Station and boards a Victoria Line tube Southbound.

Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell said:

"We would very much like all of the public's help in identifying where he's travelled. If you've seen Ezedi, or you know where he is, then I urge you please to contact our hotline which is 02071752784.

"Or of course you can phone Crimestoppers.

"If you think you've seen Ezedi now, do not approach him, ring 999 and we will be there urgently.

"We need the public's help to trace Ezedi. It's really important."

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