Rushanara Ali

Last night in Bethnal Green, the police were called to an incident involving two people who were sprayed with acid whilst in their car.

Responding to the event, Rushanara said:

"This is yet another incident this year involving a corrosive substance in East London. Since the beginning of July, the police have arrested and charged 6 individuals involved in 5 separate acid attacks. It is completely unacceptable that these kinds of attacks are becoming so common."

"Before recess, the Government pledged to take urgent action to clamp down on this horrendous act of violence. The Home Secretary needs to take urgent action by giving police the powers and resources to bring an end to these kinds of attacks. Once again I am calling on the government to change the current sentencing guidelines for offenders and strengthen restrictions on shops trading in corrosive substances."

ENDS

Notes

This incident was covered online by Sky, IB Times, and BT News

The Evening Standard recently revealed that online shops are easily selling bulk shipments of acid