Rise in North East acid attacks
As a petition to ban the sale of acid to people without a licence reaches over 270,000, we can reveal a rise in attacks.
A petition to ban the sale of acid without a license has reached more than 270,000 signatures, meaning it will be debated in Parliament.
The campaign launched after two cousins were viciously attacked in London last month.
Figures revealed to Metro Radio and TFM reveal Northumbria Police dealt with an acid attack almost once every week last year at 49.
Over the past six years, the force have responded to 250 acid attacks.
Cleveland Police dealt with five incidents last year and 19 in the past five years, with attacks involving paint thinner, bleach, petrol, ammonia and chemical spray.
Durham have recorded no offences over the past five years.
Dr Charles Viva is a retired plastic surgeon from Middlesbrough who has spent years visiting India with his charity Interplast.
They perform reconstructive surgery on acid attack victims. Dr Charles said:
“Trouble with the acid is that as soon as it hits it stings you and hurts you but soon the nerves get damaged and you don’t feel anything and so you think that it is not too bad but the acid is eating away all the time so you need to keep washing and washing.
“The victim’s lives have been totally affected, it affects not only them but also their parents, brothers and sisters. It affects everyone because it is part of their own family which has got burned.
“It is very saddening and very upsetting to see this happening. A strict deterrent would make people think.”
Parliament must now debate whether acid should only be sold to people who hold a licence for it, you can visit the petition for updates here: https://www.change.org/p/uk-parliament-prohibit-the-purchase-of-acid-to-those-without-a-licence