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Three men arrested following ‘acid attack’ on three-year-old boy in Worcester shop

Police have arrested three men in in connection with a suspected acid attack on a three-year-old boy in Worcester.

The suspects, aged 22, 25 and 26, were detained in London on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, West Mercia Police said.

A 39-year-old man from Wolverhampton arrested on Sunday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm remains in custody, the force said.

<em>Three men have been arrested in connection with a suspected acid attack on a three-year-old boy (PA)</em>
Three men have been arrested in connection with a suspected acid attack on a three-year-old boy (PA)
<em>The toddler was in a pushchair with his family in Home Bargains in Worcester when a corrosive substance was ‘thrown or sprayed’ over him (PA)</em>
The toddler was in a pushchair with his family in Home Bargains in Worcester when a corrosive substance was ‘thrown or sprayed’ over him (PA)
<em>Police said the long-term implications of the boy’s injuries are ‘uncertain’ (SWNS)</em>
Police said the long-term implications of the boy’s injuries are ‘uncertain’ (SWNS)

The toddler was in a pushchair with his family in the Home Bargains store in Shrub Hill Retail Park in Tallow Hill when a corrosive substance was ‘thrown or sprayed’ over him on Saturday afternoon, according to West Mercia Police.

He was treated in hospital for burns to his face and one arm before being released on Sunday afternoon.

Police said the long-term implications of his injuries are ‘uncertain’.

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Chief Superintendent Mark Travis said the boy is recovering at home with his family, who are being supported by specialist officers.

He told Sky News: ‘A young family were out shopping and a substance appears to either have been thrown or sprayed towards a three-year-old child who was in a pushchair.’

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

<em>Police have urged anyone with information to get in touch (SWNS)</em>
Police have urged anyone with information to get in touch (SWNS)
<em>The suspects, aged 22, 25 and 26, were detained in London on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm (SWNS)</em>
The suspects, aged 22, 25 and 26, were detained in London on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm (SWNS)

Worcester City Council leader Marc Bayliss described the attack as ‘absolutely pure evil’.

Worcester MP Robin Walker said the attack was ‘horrific’, and that the ‘shock will be universal’.

Police are continuing to appeal for information over the incident at Home Bargains in Tallow Hill.

<em>The boy has been discharged from hospital following the incident (PA)</em>
The boy has been discharged from hospital following the incident (PA)

Detective Inspector Tony Garner said: ‘We’d like to thank everyone who shared our appeal over the weekend and contacted us with information; all of this is helping us to build up a better picture of this incident.

‘We’re continuing to urge anyone else with information to contact us.’

Anyone with information that could help police with their enquiries was asked to call 101 quoting incident 442s of 21 July 2018.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.