A dangerous increase in Acid attack Recorded in the UK, now all the victims with women and girls accounting for a third of the victims.
Statistics of police forces show that in 2024 498 physical attacks were recorded in corrosive, there was an increase of 10 percent from 454 incidents mentioned in 2023.
Research conducted by Charity Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) found that such attacks not only have disastrous effects on the victims, but also cost considerable costs for the economy.
On average, a single attack may cost £ 63,000 in medical and psychological support, meaning that in 2024 the overall average cost of these physical attacks will occur in areas of £ 31m.
Historically, acid attacks are associated with male-on-men violence And the gang activity, police forces data showed that 74 victims of 224 physical attacks, where the len data was provided, were women.
In addition, women created 62 percent of the victims when there was a risk of acid attack against them, increased by 59 percent in 2023. This involves the risk of a corrosive attack in the form of forced or intimidation tools such as rape or robbery.
Despite the population served by Northumbria police Creating only two percent of the country’s population, 24 percent of all acid attacks were recorded in this area, followed by this Metropolitan Police In London,
Esti’s Executive Director Jaff Shah said: “Our new data shows that acid violence is prevalent in the UK. The increase in physical acid attacks is related to depth – especially a rapid increase in Northumbria, even the number falls in London.
“To deal with this issue means that socio-economic inequality, lack and widespread challenges of gang participation, while also eats retailers.
“It is important that we address how easily criminals are able to use corrosive substances in the first place.
ASTI analysis found that about a quarter (24 percent) acid attacks were recorded by the Northumbria Police, despite the region had only two percent of the UK population.
West Midlands has seen an 82 percent increase in the number of physical attacks between 2023 and 2024, with charity that the attacks are often in areas that are affected by the high levels of economic scarcity and poverty.
Professor Francisco C Figuardo, MD, PhD, Fercofth, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Newcastle said: “Corrosive substance attack for the eye (CSA) is a serious injury that can cause adequate damage, possibly leading to significant visual loss/blindness.
“In our data, the most serious injuries occur on the victims of the attack, often young white men. Evidence also indicates that most attacks occur in the deprived areas.
“Ahead building On the information released by ASTI, our data has also shown a dangerous increase in the north -east of England in CSA events over the years. In our region, the most common corrosive substance used in attacks is ammonia, which causes significant damage to the surface of the eye, entering the tissue deeply, resulting in a more severe damage.
“In view of this new data, there is an urgent need to create a strong partnership among many public health agencies that can work together on a shared goal by setting up a elimination program with clear goals. It’s time to attack our target to eliminate corrosive substance.
