Update: Police continue manhunt as residents describe ‘horrific’ Clapham chemical attack

A manhunt for a 30-year-old suspect on the run after a chemical attack on Wednesday night that residents have described as “horrific” has entered its second day.

Abdul Shokoor Edezi, 35, is being sought by three police forces after a woman and two young children were attacked with an alkaline substance at around 7.25pm.

Edezi, who is from the Newcastle area, is believed to be known to the victim and was last seen shortly before 9pm in Caledonian Road, Islington on Wednesday, close to King’s Cross railway station.

Police have released an image taken from a Tesco store, where Ezedi is believed to have purchased a bottle of water. He left the shop and turned right, the Met said.

He has severe injuries to the right side of his face and police are urging the public not to approach him, describing him as “dangerous”.

The South London Press visited the scene – Lessar Avenue, by Clapham Common – this morning. The street has now been cleared leaving only marks on the road and a discarded toxic waste bag. 

A woman who lives in the area – and who asked not to be named – described the attack as “horrific”. 

The incident was captured on CCTV, which showed a man running around a car before getting into the driver’s seat.

A woman and child were standing in front of the vehicle covering their faces with their hands.

The man then drives the car into the woman, before stopping the vehicle and getting out.

He opens the back door and takes out a child before throwing them to the ground.

A witness who helped the woman during the attack told Sky News: “First a man grabbed his kid – a girl aged two or three from a white car. He threw her on to the floor – twice. It was the worst thing I’ve ever seen.

“The man then threw something at the woman. She was screaming, ‘my eyes, my eyes’.

The mother and her three-year-old daughter are thought to have suffered what could be “life-changing” injuries.

The second child – aged eight – was also injured in the attack, as were nine other people, including police officers and passers-by who stopped to help. Eight of them were treated in hospital and have now left. One man declined treatment.

The mother and her children remain in hospital. Police have described the incident as “targeted”.

The Clapham South Belvedere hotel – next to where the attack took place – has released a statement confirming the woman and her two children were staying there.

Edezi, originally from Afghanistan, arrived in the UK in 2016. He was granted asylum after two failed attempts.

Six years ago, he was handed a suspended sentence for a sexual offence in Newcastle.

Supt Gabriel Cameron, a senior officer who polices in Lambeth, said: “Any members of the public who saw what happened can help us by calling 101quoting reference CAD 7790/31Jan.

“I also urge local people and drivers to check their doorbell and dash cameras for any footage that might have captured a man fleeing the area, and to please contact us immediately.

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

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

Pictured top: A discarded toxic waste bag remains at the scene of the attack/Abdul Shokoor Edezi (Picture: Claudia Lee/The Met)