Police ‘Probe Whether Acid Attack on 14-Year-Old Girl Was Linked to Dispute at Her School’, Grandmother Reveals

Police are investigating whether an acid attack on a 14-year-old girl was linked to a dispute at her school, her family has said.

The young girl was doused in acid outside her school on Monday afternoon and it is understood she will suffer potentially life-changing injuries and require long-term care.

Her grandmother, Bridget McFarlane, told MailOnline that the situation remains ‘traumatic’ but she is confident that the authorities ‘know who it is’.

She also revealed that the girl has sadly had to be readmitted to hospital earlier today, despite being released earlier in the week.

Ms McFarlane said: ‘She came home last night but they readmitted her today. It’s all horrible.

‘The police have got details of who did it and they are investigating. They kind of know who it is. It’s a dispute with somebody at school.

‘They have got lots of information and they have got cameras and that. Nothing like this has happened before.

‘My son’s at hospital at the moment but I was just going to visit them. It is just traumatic, so traumatic. I’m just finishing up work so I can go down to the hospital.

‘I can’t say much more right now.’

Police are continuing to hunt for a tall, slim Black man in dark clothing who rode up to Westminster Academy on Monday afternoon and threw a corrosive substance at the teenage pupil and a 16-year-old who did not attend the school.

A 27-year-old teacher was also injured as she ran to the aid of the pair while the attacker sped off on an e-scooter from Alfred Road, close to Paddington Station, at around 4.40pm on Monday afternoon in the direction of Harrow Road.

This comes as the victim’s father Corey McFarlane has launched a fundraiser to help pay for the ‘immediate’ costs related to his daughter’s ‘care and long-term support’ – and wrote in his plea for help that she had been the victim of a ‘senseless act of violence’.

Mr McFarlane, who shared heartbreaking images of his daughter’s damaged skin, said words ‘cannot express the shock, pain and trauma she is going through’.

Mr McFarlane’s fundraiser has an immediate goal of £9,000, of which he has raised around a fifth. He says the money will be used for the short-term treatment of her injuries as well as long-term support.

He wrote: ‘On the 30th September at around 16:35, my beautiful daughter was the victim of a devastating acid attack outside the Westminster Academy school.

‘Words cannot express the shock, pain, and trauma she is going through right now, both physically and emotionally.

‘This senseless act of violence has left her with severe injuries that require urgent and long-term medical care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and mental health support.

‘As we focus on her recovery, we also need help to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

‘We are working closely with authorities, but any support we can get from the community to spread awareness, gather information, and assist in the investigation would be deeply appreciated.

‘We are humbly asking for donations to help cover her expenses and support her journey to recovery. Any contribution, big or small, will make a huge difference in her life and help us take the first steps towards healing from this unimaginable attack.

‘Your support, whether financial or simply sharing this campaign, will help us tremendously. My daughter is a fighter, but she needs her community behind her more than ever.

‘Thank you for your kindness, love, and generosity in these incredibly difficult times.’

The Met Police told MailOnline today no arrests have yet been made in the hunt for the masked attacker, who was dressed head-to-toe in dark clothing with his face obscured by a covering or balaclava.

Detectives are appealing for dashcam footage in the hope of spotting the suspect.

Both remain in hospital for treatment. The girl’s injuries are ‘potentially life-changing’, according to the Met Police.

Two police officers were also taken to hospital as a precaution after reporting that they felt unwell; both have since been discharged.

No-one has been arrested. But former police officer Peter Williams has predicted a quick arrest when the suspect is identified.

He told GB News: ‘In the past few years actually the numbers happily have decreased – there was legislation passed in 2019 that in certain circumstances it was illegal to possess this sort of material but it’s akin to me what we hear about knife crime.

‘It’s a localised issue. I would anticipate in this particular case there will be an early arrest given the circumstances – public area, (there is) CCTV.’

The Met’s Detective Chief Inspector Dean Purvis said: ‘Officers were on routine patrol when they were flagged down to this terrible incident.

‘From our enquiries so far we believe the two young victims were on Alfred Road when they were approached by a lone suspect who threw a substance at them before fleeing down Harrow Road.

‘A member of staff bravely and selflessly rushed to provide first aid to the two victims, sustaining injuries herself in the process. Fortunately she has now left hospital.

‘The two teenage victims – a girl and a boy – remain in hospital. For the 14-year-old girl we might not know for some time how severe her injuries are but at this time they are being treated as life-changing.

‘I know how incredibly concerning this incident is to parents and pupils and the wider Westminster community.

‘We are in close contact with the school and local authority, and I can assure people that a thorough investigation is well under way, and that my officers will not stop until the suspect is found and arrested.

‘If you have information that can help us, it is imperative that you tell us immediately. The area at the time was busy with people and cars. I am particularly interested in hearing from anyone who might have captured dash cam footage that can help us establish what happened.’

Westminster Academy was closed on Tuesday with lessons taking place online.

The school’s principal, Numera Anwar, said in a statement: ‘One pupil, a teacher and a member of the public have been injured in an incident outside the school building on the main road involving an acid-like corrosive substance.

‘This was a distressing incident which took place after school hours when students and staff were leaving the school site.

‘We are offering support to families and relatives of all involved.

‘This is a difficult time for our community and I took the decision to close the school today (Tuesday) to allow for a thorough investigation.’

The school is believed to be open as normal today, with counselling staff available for those needing support after the horrific incident.

A local resident told the Standard he saw police cars and ambulances pull up to aid the injured people.

The 38-year-old man said: ‘There were cops everywhere and real panic. There was a crime scene tent they set up just outside the school. It was full on.’

Adam Hug, leader of Westminster City Council, said: ‘This is a truly shocking attack on school pupils and a member of staff.

‘The council has been in touch with Westminster Academy and we will provide educational psychologists and any other support to help children through what is a traumatic ordeal. Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected.

‘Clearly this attack will be unsettling for the whole academy and the wider community, and we will be working with police to provide reassurance and whatever support we can.

‘We would urge anyone with information about what has happened to contact the police.’

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has information that could help police, should call 101 ref CAD 4987/30Sep. Information can also be submitted anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.