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Clapham alkaline chemical attack: Latest sighting of Abdul Ezedi by the Thames as manhunt continues

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Two children were among 12 people with injuries after a "corrosive substance" was thrown near Clapham Common, in Lambeth.

A mum has potentially "life-changing" wounds following an attack with a corrosive substance which left 12 people injured near Clapham Common in Lambeth.

Police have named as a suspect Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, 35, who is thought to have travelled to London yesterday from Newcastle. Police said he was last caught on camera in Allhallows Lane near Cannon Street on Wednesday night, and that he has injuries to his face.

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The manhunt is being led and co-ordinated by the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, with a team of more than 100 officers dedicated to the investigation A reward of up to £20,000 has been offered for information leading to his arrest.

The BBC reports that Ezedi was convicted of "sexual assault/exposure" in 2018, before being granted asylum in 2021 or 2022.

Among the victims were a 31-year-old mum and her two daughters, aged eight and three, who remain in hospital. The younger girl's condition is no longer assessed as "life changing"

Members of the public who intervened to help the family.

Police were called to an incident in Lessar Avenue at about 7.25pm on Wednesday January 31, and a manhunt has been launched for the attacker, who police believe was known to the mother.

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Three other women - two in their 30s and one in her 50s – were injured when they came to help the family. They have all been discharged from hospital with minor burns injuries, while a man in his 50s declined hospital treatment for minor injuries.

Five police officers were injured as they responded and were treated in hospital.

On Monday (February 5) a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Anyone with information or footage can call the incident room directly on 0207 175 2784 - or call 999 with any sightings.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Corrosive substance attack in Clapham

Key Events

  • Police have warned the public not to approach suspect Abdul Shokoor Ezedi
  • A three-year-old girl and her mother may have life-changing injuries
  • A total of 12 people were injured in the incident which involved an alkaline substance

'Corrosive substance' containers

This footgage shows officers entering one address in Newcastle where empty containers with corrosive substance warnings were recovered. Forensic tests are ongoing to see whether the containers held the substance used in the attack.

Five properties searched

The Met Police investigation team has received dozens of calls and is working with services including British Transport Police, Northumbria Police, the National Crime Agency and Transport for London.

Searches have taken place at two addresses in east London and three in Newcastle.

Police say the 31-year-old woman injured in the attack remains in a critical but stable condition, having suffered what are likely to be life-changing injuries. She was known to Abdul Ezedi.

Commander Jon Savell said: “Abdul Ezedi was last seen at King's Cross Underground Station at 9pm on Wednesday January 31, where he boarded a Victoria Line train travelling southbound.

“The police investigation to establish his subsequent movements and ultimately locate him is continuing at pace.

"I want to thank everyone who has contacted police to share what they know. We have received dozens of calls with information, including possible sightings, and every single piece of information has been recorded and forms part of our ongoing investigation.

“I can assure the public that my colleagues and I are fully committed to using every available tool and tactic for as long as it takes to find Abdul Ezedi.

“I am today urging the public to remain vigilant and to contact police immediately if they may have seen Ezedi or have information about him.

“I would also like to reiterate that if you see Ezedi, you should call 999 immediately. He should not be approached."

Anyone with information about Abdul Ezedi is asked to call 020 7175 2784 or for an immediate sighting dial 999.

To remain anonymous, please contact the independent charity Crimestoppers.

Ezedi at King's Cross

A sceond image has been released.

Ezedi at King's Cross Underground stationEzedi at King's Cross Underground station
Ezedi at King's Cross Underground station | MPS

Commander Savell said: “Following the attack, we know he travelled from Clapham South Underground Station to King’s Cross Underground Station and I want to appeal for anyone who may have seen him travelling on this route between 7.30pm and 8pm.

“The latest confirmed sighting of the suspect is at exactly 9pm, when he is seen boarding an underground tube at Kings Cross station on the Victoria line southbound.

"As you have seen from the image we have released of Abdul Ezedi, he has suffered a serious facial injury. I’m making a direct appeal – hand yourself into police, not only so we can speak to you, but so you can get the urgent medical treatment you obviously need.

"Any members of the public with any information about the attack or the whereabouts of Abdul Ezedi are asked to call 020 7175 2784. I also ask anyone with any video footage, including video doorbell or dashboard cameras to please contact us immediately.

"I would also like to reiterate the fact that if you see Ezedi, call 999 immediately. He should NOT be approached."

Timeline of suspect’s movements

This is a timeline of Ezedi’s movements on Wednesday January 31.

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.

Met Police statement

Commander Jon Savell said: “First of all, I would like to thank the public and the media for sharing our appeals for information following the incident in Clapham, which I know has caused a great deal of public concern.

“We have received dozens of calls of possible sightings of Abdul Ezedi and every single one has been followed up and investigated.

“Fast-paced enquiries, led by senior detectives have been carried out in the past 24 hours to trace the whereabouts of the suspect. And I’d like to thank Northumbria Police, British Transport Police and Transport for London for their help as we progress this investigation.

“A total of five search warrants were carried out overnight, including at two addresses in east London and three in Newcastle.

“Two empty containers with corrosive warnings on the label were found at an address in Newcastle. Forensic tests are currently ongoing to see if the containers held the substance used in the attack in Clapham.

“I would also like to give you an update on the condition of the mother and her two daughters who were injured.

“The mother, aged 31, remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital. It is likely she has suffered life-changing injuries as a result of this incident.

"The two children, aged three and eight, also remain in hospital. However, I’m pleased to report that doctors have now assessed their injuries as not life changing.

“The three women and a man who bravely came to the aid of the family, have all been discharged from hospital with minor burns.

"I am also glad to update that the five officers injured have all now returned to duty.

“Today, we are releasing a timeline of Ezedi’s movements on January 31 and we are appealing for anyone who may have seen him or who has any information about his movements to contact us immediately."

Abdul Shokoor Ezedi suspect pictures

Police have released new images of Abdul Shokoor Ezedi.

He was last seen at King's Cross Underground station at 9pm on Wednesday January 31.

Abdul Shokoor Ezedi at King's Cross Underground Station. (Photo by MPS)Abdul Shokoor Ezedi at King's Cross Underground Station. (Photo by MPS)
Abdul Shokoor Ezedi at King's Cross Underground Station. (Photo by MPS) | MPS

Warning: Distressing images

CCTV footage from Sky News appears to show the moment the attack unfolded.

'He should not be approached'

The hunt continues for suspect Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, who has an injury to his face and may be trying to leave London.

He should not be approached. Call 999 if you see him.

Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, in the Tesco in Caledonian Road.Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, in the Tesco in Caledonian Road.
Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, in the Tesco in Caledonian Road. | MPS

Christianity conversion

While little is yet known about his history, the BBC reports that Ezedi was sentence to an unpaid work order.

His asylum application was twice turned down, but then granted when he claimed to have converted to Christianity, and that being returned to Afghanistan was therefore a risk.

Suspect a convicted sex offender

The BBC reports that suspect Abdul Shakoor Ezedi, 35, was convicted of "sexual assault/exposure" in 2018, before being granted asylum in 2021 or 2022. It is reported that he arrived in the UK by lorry in 2016, having travelled from Afghanistan.

New image of suspect after attack

The Met Police has released a new image of suspect Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, captured on CCTV after Wednesday's attack.

Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said: “We are now releasing an image of the last known sighting of Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, which was on Caledonian Road, N1 at 8.48pm on Wednesday January 31. "The image is taken from the Tesco store, where Ezedi is believed to have purchased a bottle of water. He left the shop and turned right.

“The image shows Ezedi with what appears to be significant injuries to the right side of his face. This makes him distinctive.

"If you see Ezedi, call 999 immediately. He should not be approached."

Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, in the Tesco in Caledonian Road.Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, in the Tesco in Caledonian Road.
Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, in the Tesco in Caledonian Road. | MPS

If you have information as to his whereabouts you can reach the incident room directly on 0207 175 2784

Watch: Superintendent Gabriel Cameron updates journalists

Superintendent Gabriel Cameron has warned the public to not approach Abdul Shokoor Ezedi if they see him.

Abdul Shokoor Ezedi in north London

Police say the suspect, Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, was last seen in Caledonian Road, Islington, and has injuries to his face.

Police say he should not be approached. Call 999 if you see him.

Police name suspect as Abdul Shokoor Ezedi

The Met Police has named the suspect as Abdul Shokoor Ezedi and say they believe he is from Newcastle.

Speaking to press at the scene in Clapham, Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said: “We are now naming the man we want to speak to as Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, who is aged 35. We believe he travelled down from Newcastle earlier that day.

“We don’t know yet what led to it. We’re working to establish the circumstances.

“A manhunt to trace Ezedi is under way. We are working with partner agencies and forces including the British Transport Police to locate and arrest him.

"If you see Ezedi, call 999 immediately. He should NOT be approached."

Police have named Abdul Shokoor Ezedi as a suspect after an attack with a corrosive substance which left 12 people injured.Police have named Abdul Shokoor Ezedi as a suspect after an attack with a corrosive substance which left 12 people injured.
Police have named Abdul Shokoor Ezedi as a suspect after an attack with a corrosive substance which left 12 people injured. | MPS

London Fire Brigade statement

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) attended the scene on Lessar Avenue in Clapham last night.

In a statement the LFB said, "Crews provided immediate emergency care to a woman and child who are believed to have sustained injuries from a corrosive substance which has now been confirmed by the Metropolitan Police to be alkaline.

"Another child was also treated by crews. Several people, who came to the aid of the woman and child, were also treated at the scene after coming into contact with the corrosive substance. They were all taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews."

Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: "Firefighters were on scene three minutes after being called to help at this terrible incident. This included specially trained crews and equipment to deal with hazardous materials incidents. Crews quickly treated a number of casualties at the scene alongside emergency service colleagues, whilst identifying the substance.

"A number of people sustained injuries whilst coming to the aid of the woman and children. Injuries caused by corrosive substances can be very damaging and require immediate medical attention. It is important to call 999 immediately and to keep a safe distance from someone you believe to have been exposed to a hazardous substance."

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan described the incident as "truly shocking".

In a statement he said: "Last night’s incident in Clapham is truly shocking. My thoughts are with all those who have been injured, especially the woman and two children who remain in hospital."

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