Worcester England Acid Attack: Boy, 3, Seriously Injured In Pure Evil Assault – Manhunt Launched

The force has released CCTV images of three men they would like to speak to in connection with the attack.

The boy was in a pushchair with his family when a corrosive substance was “thrown or sprayed” over him, police said.

He was rushed to hospital where he was treated for serious burns to his arm and face before being released this afternoon.

A 39-year-old man from Wolverhampton has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm and remains in police custody.

West Mercia Police has urged anyone with information about the attack, which took place at around 2.15pm in the Home Bargains store on the Shrub Hill Retail Park in Tallow Hill, to come forward.

Chief Superintendent Mark Travis said: “At this time we are treating this as a deliberate attack on a three-year-old boy.

“The incident will rightly shock the local community and I would like to reassure local people that we are carrying out a thorough investigation to identify those responsible.

“At this time, the motive for the attack is unclear.

“Officers are working hard to establish exactly what happened and what the substance involved was.

“The three men in the photo may have information vital to our investigation.

“I am sure someone will recognise them and I would urge anyone with information to contact us as a matter of urgency.”

The boy was treated for burns to his face and one arm before being released on Sunday afternoon.

Chief Superintendent Travis added: “We are uncertain about the long-term implications of those burns, but we do hope that these won’t be life-changing injuries.”

Officers are also appealing for anyone who and has seen “anything discarded in the area” to come forward.

Robin Walker, MP for Worcester, described the incident as “horrific” and urged anyone with information to contact the police.

He said: ”The shock will be universal, anyone conducting such an attack on a small child is just appalling.

“It’s an issue which rightly there has been a lot of concern in Parliament and a move to toughen sentences for any kind of acid attack.

“But particularly the nature of this being a small child is very concerning indeed.

“At this stage the key thing is for the police to act quickly and see if they can track down the perpetrator and understand what’s behind it because it is an unthinkable thing to happen.”

Shocked shoppers have described seeing police cars and ambulances dashing to the shop where the three-year-old boy was attacked by a “skinny white guy”.

Rachel Bryant, 22, said: “I’d been shopping with my mum and were heading to Home Bargains when there were loads of police and ambulances.

“I saw a woman crying and being comforted by police. I didn’t know what it was all about.

“When I heard about the little boy being attacked with acid I couldn’t believe it. I assume the woman I saw could have been his mum or relative.

“It’s horrendous to think something like this could happen to a little boy in the middle of a shop on a Saturday afternoon.”

Another shopper, who did not want to be named, said: “I heard from someone who works at the shop that the man [who attacked the boy] was a skinny white guy.

“He was about 5ft 11ins and he ran out the shop. I think he was caught pretty quick but I don’t know for sure.

“Some people have said it could be connected with the EDL march in town about the same time but, again, it’s all rumours at the moment.”

Home Bargains shopper Barry Keville, 64, said: “It’s diabolical.

“You hear about it in other towns and cities, we think that’s not close to home but when it’s this close to home it’s quite frightening as you use the shop.

“You wonder what is going to happen next.”

Dean Carey, 22, assistant manager at the store, said: “Events happened yesterday, police knew what happened and we are working with them.

“Everything is fine, everything is nice and safe for everyone, the staff are all fine. The incident happened but now we have moved one.”

The store’s area manager, who did not want to be named, added: “We put the health and safety of our staff and customers at the forefront before anything else”Police are still investigating and as far as we are concerned Home Bargains are assisting the police investigations.”

The employee said the store reopened at around 11.40am today.

A Home Bargains spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts are with this young child and his family at this very difficult time.”