Newcastle man Abdul Ezedi named as suspect in Clapham substance attack

Police investigating a corrosive alkaline substance attack which left a toddler and her mother with potentially life-changing injuries have named the suspect as North East man Abdul Ezedi.

The 35-year-old alleged attacker, from the Newcastle area, was described by Metropolitan Police Superintendent Gabriel Cameron as having “significant injuries to the right side of his face” following the incident in south London on Wednesday.

A 31-year-old woman, who is believed to be known to Ezedi, and her three-year-old daughter, alongside her other daughter, aged eight, remain in hospital in a stable condition.

A manhunt is under way for the “dangerous” suspect after he also allegedly threw the younger child to the ground in the attack in Lessar Avenue, near Clapham Common, at about 7.25pm.

Police said in his attempt to drive away from the scene, the attacker crashed into a stationary vehicle and made off on foot.

Mr Cameron said the force was working in collaboration with Northumbria Police as Ezedi “could be going back” to Newcastle.

“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 said.

“He’s come down from Newcastle."

He said that it was a “horrific crime” against a “vulnerable female”.

He added: “We will catch him, I am wholeheartedly confident.”

Superintendent Cameron said police were working with other agencies to locate Ezedi.

“We’re working alongside Northumbria (Police), we believe the male is from the Newcastle area," he said.

“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.”