Detectives Investigate Acid Attack

Detectives are investigating after a 16-year-old boy had acid thrown at him as he walked near a wooded area in Yateley.

The teenager was walking near Manor Park Drive at about 9pm on Wednesday, January 9th, when an unknown man appeared and threw the substance at him.

The man is thought to have been wearing dark-coloured clothing.

The victim suffered serious injuries as a result of this incident, and is currently being treated at a specialist hospital in London.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Darren Barrett, who is the senior investigating officer, said:

"This was a terrifying attack which has left the victim with horrendous injuries.

"He is currently receiving specialist treatment in hospital and his family are at his bedside.

"This is not believed to have been a random attack.

"I would appeal to the local community to think hard about anything they might know or have heard about this incident and to contact my team with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

"If you don't want to speak to a police officer, you can call Crimestoppers and give information anonymously.

"I am aware that there has been lots of information being exchanged over social media sites and would be keen to hear from anyone who has seen or received such information.

"My team has been working extremely hard to investigate this incident and following up a number of lines of enquiry since it happened.

"Extra officers will be in the area this evening conducting house-to-house enquiries as part of an anniversary operation - a week to the day since the incident happened."

A 46-year-old man from Yateley and a 33-year-old man from Farnborough were arrested and have been released on bail pending further enquiries.