The new data, compiled by Acid Survivors Trust International, found 2023 to be the second consecutive year which has seen an increase, after a 69% year-on-year rise in 2022
Acid crimes have rocketed by 75% in a year, with women increasingly targeted.
Police recorded 1,244 offences involving corrosive liquids in 2023, up from 710 in 2022. Yet just 8% resulted in a suspect being charged. Some 36% of the crimes were physical attacks. For the past two years more victims are women and girls.
The rest of the crimes involved threats, carrying corrosives, and other serious crimes such as rape or robbery. Acid Survivors Trust International, which compiled the 2023 police data, said there had been a 69% year-on-year rise in 2022.
Executive director Jaf Shah said: “Acid violence is an escalating problem in our country, with women increasingly at risk.” He wants the next government to boost funding for prevention initiatives.
Daniel Lynch, who was jailed for life today after raping his model ex-girlfriend Katie Piper and then arranging for acid to be thrown in her face (
Image:
PA)
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Abdul Ezedi attacked a mum in Clapham, south London, in January (
Image:
PA)
The figures come as the man who raped Loose Women’s Katie Piper approaches the end of his 16-year minimum jail term.
In 2009, stalker Daniel Lynch, 47, was jailed for life for arranging for acid to be thrown at Katie, then aged 24. Her face was severely burned in the attack.
Meanwhile, campaigning dad-of-two Andreas Christopheros, 38, is still being treated 10 years after he was blinded in an eye by sulphuric acid. He said: “I don’t believe the government is taking this seriously.
“Anyone using the corrosive substance to attack should get a minimum 20-year sentence. Statistics show the majority of victims are female and that is really scary.”
Katie Piper was attacked in 2008 (
Image:
Instagram/ @katiepiper_)
Katie PiperAmong them was an unnamed mum-of-two attacked in front of her young daughters by ex Abdul Ezedi, in Clapham, South London, in January and blinded in an eye.
Convicted sex offender Ezedi was later found dead in the Thames. The mum was discharged from hospital in May.
The highest number of recorded violent physical attacks were in Northumbria and London, with 81 and 72 respectively.
Newcastle University ophthalmology professor Francisco Figueiredo said: “Over the past five years there has been a concerning rise in the incidence of acid attacks, especially in the North East.”
The Home Office said: “Attacks on people involving acids or other corrosives can result in huge distress and life changing injuries.
“Under the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, it is illegal to sell and deliver corrosive products to people under 18 and possess corrosive substances in public.”
