School acid attack: Man arrested after allegedly throwing acid on two teenagers outside Westminster Academy

A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm after a suspected acid attack outside a school in west London.

The Metropolitan Police said the man was arrested on Thursday morning, local time, and remains in custody after the incident outside Westminster Academy on Monday.

Emergency services were flagged down close to the school on Alfred Road in London at around 4.40 pm on Monday after a 14-year-old girl and 16-year-old boy were allegedly attacked with a corrosive substance. The alleged assailant then fled the scene on an e-scooter.

The female pupil injured in the attack, identified as Teagan McFarlane, sustained injuries which are “being treated as potentially life-changing” has returned to hospital having been briefly discharged by doctors, police said.

Teagan’s father, Corey McFarlane, gave an update on her condition, advising that it is “early days” for her recovery, the Daily Mail reports. He reportedly said she underwent surgery for her injuries on Thursday morning, local time.

A 16-year-old boy, who is understood not to be a pupil at the school, has been discharged by the hospital as police said his injuries were “not as severe as the girl’s”.

A 27-year-old woman who worked as a teacher at the school was also allegedly injured after she ran to the teenage victim’s aid. She has been discharged from hospital.

Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, investigating the incident, said officers had been “working tirelessly” to piece together the events that led to the man throwing a substance at the teenagers before fleeing the scene.

“We launched an urgent manhunt to identify and arrest the man responsible for this horrific attack. I am pleased to confirm a man was arrested in the early hours of this morning in connection with the incident,” he said.

Mr McFarlane has launched a fundraiser to help support his daughters’ recovery and relocation and withdrawal from school after the attack. It has raised £9,800 to date.

He told The Times his daughter does not want to return to school and had been “deeply affected mentally” by the ordeal.

“The hospital is a safe space for Teagan. She is getting all the help she needs and the doctors are being very supportive and everyone is being really helpful and understanding,” he said.

Teaching staff at Westminster Academy, which was closed the day after the attack as police carried out their investigation, have sought to reassure parents in the wake of the incident.

It reopened as normal on Wednesday, the Daily Mail reports, during which time a coffee morning was held for parents to be able to discuss the incident with staff.

Additional security staff have been deployed at drop-off and pick-up times, while the Met has laid on additional officers to ensure a visible police presence in the area.

Educational psychologists have been laid on to help staff have conversations with students about the alleged incident, while child counsellors are on hand to support anxious students, with more to be supplied by local mental health services.

In a letter to parents, principal Numera Anwar said the safety of students and staff was at the “forefront” of their minds at all times.

“It was humbling to see our students arriving today with a smile on their faces, ready to continue with their education despite some difficult circumstances in recent days,” Ms Anwar said.

“Parents and carers should continue to be assured that the school has appropriate measures in place and our students continue to remain safe with no evidence of any further increased risk.’

Police are continuing to appeal for information as they question the suspect who is in custody.

Det Supt Ware said police were aware of the community’s concerns and the questions about the “circumstances surrounding the incident”. He appealed for members of the public who were in the vicinity of Alfred Road at the time of the attack to come forward.

He said police had been “working closely with our key partners to provide support and reassurance to those affected”.

“We will maintain a visible policing presence outside the school and will continue to work closely with the school and local authority,” he said.