A man has been arrested after a 14-year-old girl was severely injured in a suspected acid attack outside a London school.
The 35-year-old suspect was detained on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm after a substance was allegedly thrown at two children and a staff member outside Westminster Academy on Monday.
Police said the girl, 14, who sustained potentially life-changing injuries has returned to hospital having been briefly discharged by doctors.
A 16-year-old boy has been discharged by the hospital, as police said his injuries were “not as severe as the girl’s”.
The Metropolitan Police said a member of staff from the school also sustained injuries as she rushed to the youngsters to provide first aid to them.
Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, investigating the incident, said: “The investigation team has been working tirelessly to piece together the events in which two young victims, aged 16 and 14, were approached outside the school by a lone man who threw a substance at them before fleeing.
“The 14-year-old girl sustained serious injuries and has returned to hospital having been briefly discharged by doctors.
“It may still be some time before we know the true extent of how serious her injuries are, but at this time they are being treated as potentially life-changing.”
The woman is a member of staff at the school who “bravely and selflessly rushed to provide first aid to the two victims, sustaining injuries herself in the process”, said Detective Chief Inspector Dean Purvis said in a statement after the attack.
Scotland Yard said the suspect was arrested in the early hours of Thursday morning.
School staff flagged down police officers on patrol after the incident in Alfred Road, Westbourne Park, shortly after 4.40pm.
(This story is being updated)
