A horrific “acid attack” has left five people needing emergency treatment.
The terrifying incident – which also left seven vehicles badly damaged – took place at around 6.30pm on Wednesday evening.
Horrified parents watched on as youngsters on a moped threw a substance over the vehicles in the town of Corby, in Northamptonshire, just yards away from where a children’s football practice was taking place, reports The Mirror.
The young people had been arriving to train with Hellenic Fisher FC, according to the Northamptonshire Telegraph.
Eyewitnesses say up to four motorbikes, mopeds and e-bikes then roared across the fields before one stopped and the people on it threw a substance over seven cars.
Armed police and an ambulance raced to the scene on Burghley Drive and five people were treated by emergency services before they were released without significant injuries.
Several bystanders attempted to hose off the liquid before realising it smelt acidic – with police now believing that the substance used was a kind of solvent or hydrochloric acid. This is still to be confirmed.
Now further testing is due to take place tomorrow to confirm which substance was used.
Police say they are now doing all they can to catch those responsible for the shocking incident.
Corby Police Sergeant Keely Cox said: “We are using all our resources this evening to catch the perpetrators.
“We do not believe this was a targeted attack. Five people have been treated although there are thankfully no serious injuries.
“There have been at least seven cars damaged. This is exactly the kind of serious incident that Operation Pacify has been set up to prevent and we will do everything we can to try to catch those responsible.”
Express.co.uk has approached Northamptonshire Police for comment.
Statistics show the number of acid attacks in London has increased over the last 12 months.
In the year to 2022, acid attacks shot up by 69 percent nationwide and 45 percent in the capital.
The data was released by police following a Freedom of Information request by Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI).
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