Three men arrested over 'acid attack' on a three-year-old boy

Three men have been arrested in connection with a suspected acid attack on a three-year-old boy in Worcester.

The suspects, aged 22, 25 and 26, have been detained in London on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, police said.

The boy was treated in hospital after suffering serious burns to his face and an arm, and has now been released.

He was in a pushchair with his family at around 2.15pm on Saturday when a substance was sprayed or thrown towards him as he was deliberately targeted in Home Bargains at Shrub Hill Retail Park, Tallow Hill.

The long-term medical implications for the child are unknown at this time, but detectives hope he will not have life-changing injuries.

A 39-year-old man from Wolverhampton who was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm remains in custody.

It is not known if he is connected to the three men who have been arrested.

Police released three images of the suspects who they wanted to speak to on Sunday.

The men had been in the store and were seen walking close to the little boy. They left shortly after the assault.

The motive of the attack is unknown.

Chief Superintendent Mark Travis said: "At this time we are treating this as a deliberate attack on a three-year-old boy."

He told Sky News: "It's an awful incident and we're really, really concerned about this.

"Worcester is a really, really safe place. It's very unusual to have any form of attack like this."

Worcester City Council leader Marc Bayliss described the attack as "absolutely pure evil".

Worcester MP Robin Walker said the attack was "horrific" and that the "shock will be universal".

West Mercia Police are continuing to appeal for information over the incident.

Detective Inspector Tony Garner said: "We'd like to thank everyone who shared our appeal over the weekend and contacted us with information; all of this is helping us to build up a better picture of this incident.

Source: Sky News