Two schoolchildren and a member of staff have been hospitalised following an ‘acid attack’ in a west London school.
A substance was launched at the teenagers and the adult at Westminster Academy in Paddington at around 4.40pm yesterday.
Police are on the hunt for the assailant following the incident, which left a 14-year-old girl hospitalised with potentially life-changing injuries.
A 27-year-old woman has since been discharged from hospital after the attack, while a schoolboy, 16, is being treated for non-life threatening or life-changing injuries.
Two officers were also sent to hospital ‘as a precaution’ after reportedly feeling sick.
Westminster Academy remains closed today.
Two teenagers and a member of staff have been injured in an ‘acid attack’ at Westminster Academy in Paddington (Pictured: Police patrolling outside the school)
There is currently a search under way for the assailant
A message on their site read: ‘Due to unforeseen circumstances the WA school site will be closed on Tuesday 1st October.
‘Students will resume lessons through online learning. Information will be shared with them via Google Classroom through their teacher.
‘Thank you for your understanding.’
Members of staff have since returned to the premises today and could be seen in meetings.
The principal of Westminster Academy, Numera Anwar, has released a statement which read: ‘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 to allow for a thorough investigation and to ensure the school can resume normally from tomorrow with all safety measures in place.
‘We are working with the local authority and will have counsellors and other support available onsite. The welfare of the students at Westminster Academy is always our priority and that continues to remain the case.
‘This will clearly be an unsettling time for the wider community and parents. While police lead the investigation into this incident I would urge everyone to avoid speculation as this will not be helpful and may compromise the investigation.
‘Our focus remains on our students and staff members and that is what we are concentrating on.’
Police officers standing at the entrance of Westminster Academy today following the incident
Police (Pictured outside the school) are on the hunt for the assailant following the incident, which left a 14-year-old girl hospitalised with potentially life-changing injuries
Locals have since spoken out about the incident, with one describing it as ‘very scary’.
A barber continued: ‘Around six ambulances and around four police cars were outside last night, there were people rushing around the school and inside.
‘It’s very scary what’s happened.’
A neighbour said: ‘This is a sensitive time for the community, it’s usually a busy area here but as you can see today- nothing.’
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.’
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: ‘Police on patrol were flagged down at 16:42hrs on Monday, 30 September by staff at a school in Alfred Road W2 after a substance was allegedly thrown at pupils and a staff member.
The principal of Westminster Academy Numera Anwar has urged the public not to speculate to avoid compromising the investigation
A local resident said: ‘This is a sensitive time for the community, it’s usually a busy area here but as you can see today- nothing’
‘Officers responded with paramedics and the London Fire Brigade and found three people injured.
‘Victim one – a 16-year-old boy, whose injuries are not life-threatening or life-changing. He remains in hospital.
‘Victim two – a 27-year-old woman – whose condition is not life-threatening or life-changing. She has been discharged in from hospital.
‘Victim three – A 14-year-old girl, whose injuries may potentially be life-changing. She remains in hospital.
‘Tests of the substance are ongoing. At this stage officers believe it to be acidic.
‘Urgent enquiries are under way to identify and arrest those responsible. A number of crime scenes are in place.
‘Two officers were taken to hospital as a precaution after they reported feeling unwell.’
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has information that could help police, have been urged to call call 101 quoting reference CAD 4987/30 Sept.
For those who wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Westminster Academy has announced a temporary closure following the incident
It said the closure was due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’
A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: ‘Firefighters were mobilised to a chemical incident on Harrow Road in Westminster.
‘Firefighters assisted emergency service colleagues and worked to make the scene safe.
‘Two teenagers and one adult woman sustained injuries from a substance which Metropolitan Police Services believe to be acidic and were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service.
‘The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers were called about this incident at 16.50 and mobilised two fire engines and around 10 firefighters from North Kensington Fire Station, as well as specialist hazardous materials colleagues.
‘The incident was over for firefighters by 17.45.’
MailOnline has approached Westminster Academy for comment.
