POLICE investigating a suspected acid attack in Worcester have thanked the public for their response to an appeal for information and have reassured them that a thorough and painstaking investigation is progressing well.
Chief Supt Mark Travis from West Mercia Police said: “I would like to thank everyone in our local community and across the country for their help and support with this investigation. The response to the images we released has been fantastic.
“This has been a shocking incident which we know has caused a great deal of concern in our community. I can reassure people that Worcester remains a safe place to live and work and that such crimes remain thankfully extremely rare in our area.
“Our thoughts are with the little boy and his family at this time and we are absolutely committed to getting to the bottom of this incident. We would ask that the media continues to respect their privacy at this difficult time. We are not issuing any further information regarding their identities for operational reasons.
“I would like to pay tribute to my officers, some of whom have worked for 24 hours without rest on this investigation and have done a thorough and painstaking job. The operation has been a great example of partnership work across this police force but also with other forces across the country.
“There is still work to do and we are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances of the incident. We are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward and help us with our enquiries.”
Three men, aged 22, 25, and 26, were arrested in London overnight on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. A 39-year-old man from Wolverhampton arrested yesterday on suspicion of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm remains in police custody.
The incident occurred at around 2.15pm on Saturday (July 21) in Home Bargains on Shrub Hill Retail Park, Tallow Hill, Worcester.
The boy was taken to hospital with serious burns to his arm and face. He has since been discharged but the long-term implications of his injuries are unknown at this time.
Anyone with information that could help police with their enquiries should call 101 quoting incident 442s of 21 July 2018. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
