Police release image of Clapham chemical attack suspect with burnt face
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
A man suspected of throwing corrosive chemicals at a mother and toddler, has been pictured with severe injuries on his face and holding a bottle of water.
Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, 35, from Newcastle, is suspected of using an alkaline substance to injure a 31-year-old woman and her three-year-old daughter.
Scotland Yard has released a new image of the Ezedi with “significant injuries” to the right side of his face.
Supt Gabriel Cameron, at a press conference, said Ezedi was last seen at a Tesco store in the Caledonian Road area of North London on Wednesday night and warned the public not to approach him.
Mr Cameron said he had “no idea” what Ezedi’s motives are and that he is “wholeheartedly confident” he will be caught.
He said: “At this stage I believe he may have been known to police, but he’s not a local resident from London as far as I’m aware. He’s come down from Newcastle.”
Mr Cameron added: The image shows Ezedi with what appears to be significant injuries to the right side of his face. This makes him distinctive.
“If you see Ezedi, call 999 immediately. He should not be approached.”
Ezedi is believed to be known to the woman and toddler who are both in hospital recovering from their “life-changing injuries”.
12:38 AM GMT
What happened today
We’re ending our live coverage of the search for Abdul Shokoor Ezedi for this evening. Here are today’s developments:
The Telegraph learnt that Ezedi was twice denied asylum in the UK before being allowed to stay after claiming he had converted to Christianity
Ezedi, who arrived illegally in the country in the back of a lorry in 2016, said his life would be in danger if he was returned to his native Afghanistan
Ezedi was convicted of a sex offence in 2018
It is understood that the suspect was twice refused asylum before being granted leave to remain in 2021 or 2022 after a priest vouched for his conversion and argued he was “wholly committed” to his new religion
On Thursday night, Ezedi remained at the centre of a nationwide manhunt
The woman and her three-year-old daughter, who were known to Ezedi, have been left with potentially “life-changing” injuries after his alleged attack
Ezedi is believed to have travelled to the capital from Newcastle
10:52 PM GMT
Ezedi twice failed to get asylum in the UK
The Telegraph has learned Ezedi twice failed to get asylum in the UK before succeeding on his third attempt – believed to be in either 2021 or 2022 – after a priest backed up his claim that he had converted to Christianity.
Ministry of Justice sources said that Ezedi was not under supervision by the time he allegedly got into his white Hyundai and drove to London on Wednesday.
Read more here.
09:59 PM GMT
Ezedi’s movements
09:43 PM GMT
How ‘quiet and polite’ Ezedi drove the length of England to carry out attack
Almost 300 miles away from the streets of Clapham lined with multi-million-pound homes, Abdul Shokoor Ezedi had been living in dilapidated hostels and halfway houses since he arrived from Afghanistan in the back of a lorry.
The 35-year-old was described as mild-mannered and was said by neighbours in the Byker area of Newcastle to “keep himself to himself”.
His last known address was at a hostel on the city’s Wilfred Street, which is run by Tyne Housing Association and provides accommodation for people deemed homeless or vulnerable.
He always appeared to be by himself and did not appear to have a wife or children, locals said.
Read more: How a ‘mild-mannered Christian’ travelled length of country to carry out Clapham chemical attack
08:01 PM GMT
James Cleverly: 'Chemical attack was appalling'
The home secretary has released a brief statement, expressing his shock at the attack in south London.
James Cleverly said in a statement: “Last night’s attack on a mother and her two children in Clapham was appalling.
“My thoughts are with them and the brave members of the public and police who intervened.”
07:53 PM GMT
Manhunt to find chemical attacker ongoing
The manhunt to find Abdul Shokoor Ezed is still ongoing
A police car was last night parked just yards from Ezedi’s last address in the Byker area of Newcastle, Steve Bird reports.
A resident at his most recent address said that he moved into the area in last four months and that he was “quiet and polite” to his neighbours.
He had earlier lived at a nearby hostel where staff refused to comment.
07:19 PM GMT
Sadiq Khan: 'Chemical attack was cowardly and horrific'
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London has advised the public not to approach Ezedi and condemned the “cowardly horrific act”.
Last night’s attack in Clapham was a cowardly, horrific act. The Met Police are doing all they can to apprehend the suspect who has been named as Abdul Shokoor Ezedi. Police have released an image of him. If you see Ezedi, call 999 immediately. He should NOT be approached. pic.twitter.com/EcI3yVEtua
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) February 1, 2024
06:24 PM GMT
Ezedi was 'persistent' in buying car
Bilal Khan, owner of Billy’s Garage in Byker, said Ezedi had been “persistent” when trying to buy a car off him last summer.
Mr Khan said: “He approached me last year asking if I had a car for sale. We had one which he was interested in and I told him the price. He was a very persistent type of guy, he doesn’t let things go easily.
“He was coming and going back to me about the car but I told him ‘this is my price’.”
Mr Khan indicated that Ezedi lived in a nearby halfway house, and he preferred not to do business with its residents. “I try to keep my distance from people like that,” he said.
The negotiation over the car ended without a sale last summer and Mr Khan said he had not seen Ezedi since around Christmas or New Year.
Asked if he was worried about the suspect returning to Newcastle, Mr Khan said: “I don’t think so. If he knows the police and the media are after him then he will stay away, if he doesn’t get caught.”
06:19 PM GMT
CCTV footage of man running near chemical attack
CCTV footage captured of the scene shows a man running along a road close to where the attack happened.
The video, obtained by the Mail Online, shows the man running and stumbling over a speed bump and tripping over a pavement curb and falling down.
He can be seen wearing a dark jacket and a light coloured t-shirt.
05:24 PM GMT
Ezedi suspected of living in halfway house in Newcastle
A mechanic in the Byker area of Newcastle said his boss recognised Abdul Ezedi as he had tried to buy a car from the business some months ago.
Michael Binks, 37, was shown a picture of the wanted man and said: “He tried to buy a car from us.
“As soon as my boss saw his picture on the news he recognised him.
“It’s a couple of months since we last saw him.”
Mr Binks thought the suspect was living at a nearby halfway house at the time.
04:26 PM GMT
Heightened police presence where suspect was last seen
There was a heightened police presence on Caledonian Road where Abdul Ezedi was last seen.
Unmarked cars with blue sirens could be seen dotted around the area on Thursday afternoon.
Police vans also drove around the area.
03:11 PM GMT
Watch: Police press conference in Clapham
02:49 PM GMT
Sadiq Khan: 'Proper enforcement' needed to stop chemical attacks
Sadiq Khan has told the BBC there must be “proper enforcement” against those who carry out chemical attacks in a new interview with the BBC.
The London Mayor spoke to Sarah Montague on The World at One about preventing attacks such as the one perpetrated in Clapham on Wednesday night.
“You and I have talked in the past about the dangers of guns and knives and other offensive weapons – acid, corrosive substances are offensive weapons … the problem is many household products, detergents, paint strippers, that contain ammonia, bleach, caustic soda, can cause huge damage,” said Mr Khan.
Asked about what more needs to be done to prevent these attacks, Mr Khan replied: “You’ve got to prevent that source – those who may commit acts of criminality – make sure there’s proper enforcement against those sorts of people.
“We’ve got to make it as difficult as possible to get hold of things like acid, zombie knives, machetes and other things … at the same time, educate young people about the dangers of these things, make sure there’s enforcement.”
02:21 PM GMT
Police statement: What did we learn?
Metropolitan Police Supt Gabriel Cameron has given a statement this afternoon as officers hunt for a suspect following a chemical attack in Clapham last night.
Here’s what we learned:
Suspect named as 35-year-old Abdul Shokoor Ezedi
Ezedi was last seen in Caledonian Road with “significant injuries” to the right side of his face
He is from the Newcastle area and may have been known previously to police
Met say they are working with British Transport Police and Northumbria Police as Ezedi may be travelling back to North East
Public are warned to approach Ezedi and call 999 immediately if he is seen
Metropolitan Police chief says he is “wholeheartedly confident” he will be caught.
02:00 PM GMT
Police statement in full
Here is the full statement read out by Supt Gabriel Cameron in the police press conference at 1.30pm.
Hello, everyone.
Thank you for taking the time to come out here today. I’m Superintendent Gabriel Cameron attached to Lambeth police station. I’m basically the power commander. I’m here to talk through a horrific incident that occurred last night, which resulted in a 31 year old female and two children aged three and eight being attacked with a corrosive substance, which we now confirmed to be an alkaline.
A male was with them in the vicinity, a 35-year-old male called Abdul Ezedi. And he left the scene but the injuries to the female and children this in a stable condition, but we are just monitoring but they don’t seem to be life threatening, but at this time, they could be life changing.
The male was last seen in the North London area Caledonian road.
And if you see him there’ll be some images circulated later today. If you see him, I plead to not approach him. Call 999. He’s had significant injuries to the right side of his face.
If you do have any information, any dashcam footage, ring doorbell footage, I’ve got a number which I’ll plea for you to call it will go direct to my specialist officers. And that number is 02071752784.
I really wanted to give thanks to the local community. I had three members of our community three women and one male who attempted to stop the perpetrator. They were injured in the process. They’ve sustained injuries, but thankfully they’re not too harmful.
Also, I want to thank London fire brigade, local ambulance service. Five of my local officers were also injured. Thankfully no one has got any life threatening life changing injuries.
01:58 PM GMT
Ezedi may be on way back to Newcastle, police say
Abdul Ezedi may be returning to the Newcastle area following the chemical attack in South London on Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police said.
Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said police were working with other agencies to locate the 35-year-old who was last seen in the Caledonian Road area of North London with significant facial injuries.
“So we’re liaising with other partners agencies,” he said.
“We’re working alongside Northumbria, we believe the male is from the Newcastle area.
“And he could be going back there, he may not be, but he could be.
“British Transport Police are also working alongside us as well. So we are working in collaboration with other agencies to try and locate this male.”
01:54 PM GMT
Image released of Abdul Shokoor Ezedi
The Metropolitan Police have now released an image of Abdul Shokoor Ezedi.
Ezedi was named by police as a suspect following a chemical attack in Clapham on Wednesday night.
01:48 PM GMT
Police have 'no idea' on motive
Supt Gabriel Cameron said he has “no idea” of the suspect’s motive and that he was “wholeheartedly confident” Ezedi would be caught.
01:45 PM GMT
Suspect last seen with significant facial injuries
Police say Ezedi was last seen with significant injuries to the right side of his face which should make him recognisable.
Members of the public have been warned not to approach the 35 year old and images will be circulated later today.
“If you see him, do not approach him,” Supt Gabriel Cameron told the press conference.
01:37 PM GMT
Police name man wanted in Clapham chemical attack
Police have named a 35-year-old man wanted in connection with a chemical attack in Clapham.
Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said Abdul Ezedi was last seen in the Caledonian Road area and had travelled down from Newcastle.
He said Ezedi may have been known to police but is not local to London.
01:32 PM GMT
Met Police to hold press conference in Lessar Avenue
Police are about to give a press conference at the scene of a chemical attack in Clapham
01:23 PM GMT
Clapham chemical attack: Key points this lunchtime
Police are hunting a “dangerous” man suspected of carrying out a chemical attack in South London that left a mother and a toddler with potentially life-changing injuries.
Here’s what we know this lunch time:
A 31-year-old mother and her two children remain in hospital after alkaline was thrown in Clapham on Wednesday night. The woman and her youngest daughter, 3, have injuries that could be life-changing.
Police have launched a manhunt for the suspect, described as a “dangerous individual”, who fled the scene on foot after driving into a stationary vehicle during an attempted getaway. The suspect and victims are known to each other.
Twelve people were injured including five police officers after neighbours intervened to help the woman following a “commotion” on the street. Witnesses told how the attacker was chased away from the scene.
A hotel has confirmed its guests were the victim of the attack. The South Belvedere Hotel said it has reassured other guests of their safety.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has condemned the “ghastly” attack but said such incidences are “exceedingly rare” as he spoke out in a BBC radio interview.
12:40 PM GMT
Mother injured in chemical attack 'prayed to Allah'
The mother who suffered potentially life-changing injuries after a chemical was thrown at her prayed to Allah in the aftermath of the attack, a hotel guest has claimed.
The 31 year old remains in hospital with her two daughters, aged 8 and 3, following an attack on Lessar Avenue in Clapham on Wednesday night.
A 26-year-old man, who is staying at the Clapham South Belvedere Hotel, where the mother was taken to receive treatment, said he tried to calm her children.
“She was Muslim. She was praying to her God, she was praying to Allah. She was in the toilets. The kids were praying.
“She was crying, a Romanian woman was trying to clean her face. They were helping the kids as well.”
12:21 PM GMT
Hotel confirms attack victims were guests
The South Belvedere Hotel has confirmed that its guests were victims of the corrosive liquid attack in Clapham on Wednesday.
A spokesman said: “At 7.25pm last night, police and ambulance services were called to attend to a serious incident in which guests at the Belvedere Hotel were a victim.
“Belvedere Hotel staff, having supported the work of the emergency services, have provided assistance to the guests affected and sought to reassure other hotel guests as to their safety and wellbeing.
“The staff team will continue to provide assistance to guests and the police going forward.
“As this is an ongoing police investigation, we are not able to provide any further comment.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those affected.”
12:07 PM GMT
Sir Mark Rowley: 'We are hunting for him as we speak'
A manhunt involving a “big team” of police officers is underway for a suspect in a corrosive substance attack in south London that left a mother and her two children in hospital.
Sir Mark Rowley, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, told BBC News: “It’s understandable that it’s frightening.
“Fortunately, attacks using acid and chemicals are exceedingly rare. We did have a spate of them two or three years ago, you might remember.
“It’s not something we’ve seen much of at all recently, I’m pleased to say. This is a ghastly attack, and the first thing to say is we have a live manhunt.
“The suspected offender we believe was known to the victims and so we have a big team of officers, (including) the local officers who dealt with it assisted by colleagues. We are hunting for him as we speak.”
11:36 AM GMT
Metropolitan Police Commissioner condemns 'ghastly' Clapham attack
Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, has branded the Clapham chemical attack as “ghastly”.
Speaking to BBC Radio London, Sir Mark said the attack marked a “difficult, difficult moment” for London but said such incidences involving the use of chemicals were “exceedingly rare”.
He said he understands some of burn injuries suffered by the victims are “quite substantial” but that he doesn’t have the full picture.
11:29 AM GMT
Residents stunned as media descends on tree-lined street
Telegraph reporter Alex Barton is in Clapham reporting on the chemical attack that has left a 31-year-old mother and her three-year-old daughter with injuries could be life changing.
Here’s what he’s had to say from the ground.
Scores of national media descended on Clapham South on Thursday following the chemical attack on Wednesday night.
Residents spoke of their shock that the incident had taken place on the quiet residential road in a leafy part of south London.
The heavy police presence, which resulted in the often busy Clapham Common South Side being closed for several hours on Wednesday, has since gone.
At a nearby hotel empty plastic bottles of water, blue roll and corrosive substance wash canisters were strewn over the front garden. It is thought some of the victims were residents at the establishment.
Staff at the Clapham South Belvedere Hotel wearing high visibility jackets then cleared up the mess on its premises.
Members of the public have been asking the crowd of broadcasters and newspaper journalists for any information they can share.
11:16 AM GMT
Resident: Victim was residing in hotel for refugees
The Telegraph has been told the victim of the Clapham chemical attack was residing at a hotel housing refugees, Alex Barton reports.
A female member of the residents association claimed members had been unable to sleep after the “very horrible” attack which she claimed was a “domestic incident”.
The unnamed woman said the mother was a resident of the nearby Clapham South Belvedere Hotel.
She told The Telegraph: “As I understand it, it was a domestic incident situation. We’ve been up all night, everyone is very upset, parents have children on this street.
“We had helicopters circling, dogs were out, they told us not to leave our houses.
“As I understand it, it’s a domestic incident, very horrible. Residents are worried it’s a random chap throwing acid but it’s not and they have no need to be worried. She was a resident at the hotel.”
11:07 AM GMT
Sadiq Khan pays tribute to neighbours who intervened in chemical attack
Last night’s incident in Clapham is truly shocking. My thoughts are with all those who have been injured, especially the woman and two children who remain in hospital.
I’ve been in close contact with the Met Police since last night and want to pay tribute to the police officers…— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) February 1, 2024
11:03 AM GMT
MP: 'This was a horrible and quite specific attack'
A Labour MP has described the attack with a corrosive substance on Wednesday night as “horrible” and “quite specific”.
Speaking from the scene in south London, Streatham MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy said:
We know a woman and her two children are still in hospital having been attacked with corrosive substance, and we know that whilst the injuries they sustained aren’t life threatening they could be life changing – we’re waiting for more updates from the hospital and obviously our thoughts and prayers and concerns are with all of them.
Police are engaged in an active manhunt at the moment, it seems the individual was known to the woman and children that were attacked, so we don’t think that any random attacks are happening and we want to assure people in the local area that they are perfectly safe.
This was a horrible and quite specific attack. I think it was very brave of all those who were on the scene to immediately come to their aid, running into different properties to get water.
10:38 AM GMT
Footage shows chemical attack unfolding in Clapham
Video footage has emerged appearing to show the moment a man drove a car into a woman before throwing a child to the ground in Clapham where police are investigating a suspected chemical attack.
Sky News has obtained CCTV which captures a man running around a car before getting into the driver’s seat with a woman and child standing in front of the vehicle holding their hands up.
The man then drives the car into the woman and strikes her. The footage then shows the man getting out of the car and opening the back door, before appearing to remove a child who is thrown to the ground.
Video also shows people leaving neighbouring homes to chase the man down the road.
Read more here: Footage shows chemical attack unfolding in Clapham
10:20 AM GMT
Map: Where did the corrosive substance attack take place?
10:16 AM GMT
Metropolitan Police update on Clapham attack – the key developments
The Metropolitan Police has released an update into its investigation after a corrosive substance was thrown at people in Clapham on Wednesday evening.
Here are the key developments
Mother and her three-year-old daughter have injuries that could be life-changing – they remain in hospital with the mother’s eight-year-old daughter
12 people were injured in total including five police officers as neighbours tried to intervene
The substance thrown by the attacker was alkaline
Police believe the suspect and mother are known to one another and the attack was targeted
Scotland Yard say the suspect is a “dangerous individual” as a manhunt is launched
10:04 AM GMT
Witness: My partner chased attacker down street
Ms Christi also told how her partner chased a suspect, whom she described as dressed in all black, down the street.
She said: “He ran straight off towards Balham. My partner chased him halfway down the street but he was wearing slippers.
“The attacker was wearing all black, but I couldn’t really focus on what he looked like because I was focusing on the little girl. I’ve never seen them before, I think it was a domestic incident.
“There was another girl who was crying, she was about 8. I told her to come in with us.
“I’m a mother with three children, my youngest is 2, so I feel like I had to get in and do something. I’d step in again to do that if I had to.”
10:03 AM GMT
Witness: I went to hospital after helping young girl
A mother who lives in the street where a suspected acid attack was carried out in south London last night has told how she went to hospital after helping a child who was attacked with a “corrosive substance”, Alex Barton reports.
Shannon Christi said her partner chased the suspect down the street after they intervened in the attack alongside other neighbours following a “commotion” outside their homes in which a three-year-old girl was thrown to the ground.
She told The Telegraph: “I saw a little girl being thrown to the floor. At that point I ran in and grabbed her off the floor. “I heard her mum shouting ‘I can’t see, I can’t see’.
“So I called my partner to get some water. Staff at the hospital then came round and were dousing her with water.
“At that point, my skin started to tingle. Me and the little girl went in to the block to wash our eyes and faces with water. I think what happened is she got it on her jacket when she fell on the floor and then it transferred to me.
“I went to Tooting hospital yesterday because my lips kept burning but they couldn’t identify what the substance was.”
10:02 AM GMT
Police believe suspect and mother are known to each other
Police believe the woman and the suspect are known to each other and the attack appeared “targeted”.
Supt Gabriel Cameron, a senior officer in Lambeth, said:
We believe the man and woman are known to each other.
Our investigation is in its early stages and we are working to establish why this awful incident has happened.
Officers from across the Met are working with partner agencies and forces to locate and arrest the man.
While this appears a targeted attack, he is a dangerous individual and we urgently need to find him.
We will release more information about him as soon as we can.
09:47 AM GMT
Police: Mother and three-year-old girl may have life-changing injuries
A 31-year-old woman and a three-year-old girl have potentially life-changing injuries following a corrosive substance attack in south London on Wednesday which also injured an eight-year-old girl, the Metropolitan Police said.
Three women – two in their 30s and one in her 50s – who came to the aid of the family have since been discharged from hospital with minor burns injuries.
A man in his 50s who also helped declined hospital treatment for minor injuries.
Five police officers who were injured as they responded have all been treated and left hospital.
The substance thrown as part of the attack is now known to be alkaline, the Metropolitan Police said.
09:01 AM GMT
Video: Manhunt after way after family targeted with 'corrosive substance'
08:48 AM GMT
Water bottles at scene of suspected acid attack
Water bottles have been pictured at the scene of a suspected acid attack in south London.
Police said they believe a “corrosive substance” was thrown over a mother and two children on a road near Clapham Common.
08:18 AM GMT
MP 'very concerned' over reports of acid attack
Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy tweeted she was “very concerned” by reports of an acid attack.
Very concerned to hear reports of an acid attack on Lessar Avenue in Clapham earlier tonight around 7:25pm, which has resulted in multiple injuries.
Police are asking any witnesses to call 999 immediately, quoting crime reference CAD 7790/31 Jan.— Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP (@BellRibeiroAddy) January 31, 2024
Police said tests are ongoing to determine the nature of the substance used in the attack but said it is believed to be “corrosive”.
08:07 AM GMT
Clapham attack in pictures
Let’s take a look at these photographs captured overnight at the scene of a suspected acid attack in Clapham, south London.
08:00 AM GMT
Police statement on 'horrific incident'
Scotland Yard released the following statement following the attack on Wednesday evening.
Det Supt Alexander Castle said:
Officers are on scene following this horrific incident.
Three victims – a woman and her two young children – have been taken to hospital for treatment.
Three other people – all adults – have been taken to hospital for injuries sustained, we believe, as they came to their aid.
We will update as soon as we know more about their conditions.
Three police officers have also been taken to hospital after they responded to the incident. Thankfully we believe their injuries to be minor.
While tests are ongoing to determine what the substance is, at this stage we believe it to be a corrosive substance.
A man was seen fleeing the scene. We are drawing on resources from across the Met to apprehend this individual and work is ongoing to determine what has led to this awful incident.
07:56 AM GMT
Witness: Mother screamed 'my eyes' after attack
A witness reported that the mother screamed “my eyes” and “police” after she was attacked with the substance.
The witness told The Sun that the mother, along with her children, had been in a car with a man. The pair got out of the vehicle and began fighting on the street.
The man then allegedly returned to the car and attempted to run the woman over.
The witness said: “There was a little baby girl banging on the door on the dad’s side, the lady was crying, screaming ‘my eyes, police’. He opened the door, took out the baby and banged her against the ground twice.”
Another witness told the BBC that the mother cried “I can’t see, I can’t see” as he tried to help her. “It was quite horrific,” he added.
07:52 AM GMT
Nine people injured in suspected acid attack in London
Nine people, including two children and three police officers, have been injured after a suspected acid attack in London on Wednesday night.
A woman and her two young children were the suspected victims of the attack, as a man is believed to have thrown a corrosive substance over them on a road near Clapham Common.
Police were called to the scene on Lessar Avenue at around 7.25pm on Wednesday alongside an ambulance service hazardous response team, and the woman and her children were taken to hospital.
Three other adults were also taken to hospital with injuries thought to have been suffered as they came to the aid of the woman and her children.
Firefighters later said they had used specialist equipment to detect the substance used in the attack.
You can read more here.
07:45 AM GMT
Good morning
The Telegraph will be providing live updates as police investigate a suspected acid attack in south London which left nine people injured.
A woman and her two young children were the suspected victims of the attack, as a man is believed to have thrown a corrosive substance over them on a road near Clapham Common.
Three other adults were also taken to hospital with injuries thought to have been suffered as they came to the aid of the family.
The suspect remains at large.
We intend to bring you the latest developments on the investigation.
