The school in London issued a statement after the ‘acid attack’ in which students, teachers and bystanders were hospitalized – While a suspect is being sought after a 14-year-old girl suffered ‘life-changing injuries’

A west London school has issued a statement following an ‘acid attack’ that left a teenage girl with ‘life-changing injuries’ and two others taken to hospital.

A substance aimed at teenagers and adults was launched at Westminster Academy in Paddington at around 4.40pm yesterday.

Police are trying to catch a suspect after an incident that left a 14-year-old girl hospitalized with potentially life-changing injuries.

Following the attack, a 27-year-old woman was released from the hospital, while a 16-year-old boy was treated for non-life-threatening or life-changing injuries.

Westminster Academy principal Numera Anwar shared a message as the school remained closed today.

His message included the following statements: ‘A student, a teacher and a member of the public were injured in the incident involving an acid-like corrosive substance on the main road outside the school building.

‘This was a distressing incident that occurred after school hours when students and staff had left the school grounds. We offer support to the families and relatives of everyone involved.

‘This is a difficult time for our community and I have taken the decision to close the school today so that a full investigation can be carried out and to ensure that the school can continue as normal from tomorrow with all safety measures in place.

‘We are working with the local authority and we will have advisors and other support in place.

‘The welfare of students at Westminster Academy is always our priority and this continues to be the case.

‘This will clearly be an unsettling time for the wider community and parents. While the police are investigating this incident, I urge everyone to avoid speculation as it will be of no use and could jeopardize the investigation.

‘Our focus remains on our students and staff, and that’s what we’re focusing on.’

This comes shortly after the academy, based on Harrow Road, announced via its website that it was closed today.

‘Due to unforeseen circumstances, the WA school site will be closed on Tuesday, October 1,’ the statement said.

‘Students will continue classes through online learning. Information will be shared with them via Google Classroom through their teachers. Thank you for your understanding.’

Staff have since returned to the facility today and could be seen at meetings.

Locals later spoke out about the incident, with one describing it as ‘very scary’.

A barber continued: ‘About six ambulances and about four police cars were outside last night, there were people running around and around the school.’

A neighbor said: ‘This is a sensitive time for the community, it’s usually a busy area but nothing like you can see today.’

Westminster City Council leader Adam Hug said: ‘This is a truly shocking attack on school pupils and a member of staff.

‘The council has been in contact with Westminster Academy and we will provide educational psychologists and any other support to help children through what has been a traumatic ordeal. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.

‘Obviously this attack will be disturbing to the whole of the academy and the wider community and we will work with the police to provide reassurance and provide whatever support we can.

‘We would ask anyone with information about what happened to contact the police.’

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: ‘Police on patrol were flagged down by staff at a school on Alfred Road W2 at 4.42pm on Monday, September 30, following an allegation that a substance had been thrown at pupils and a member of staff.

‘Officers responded with paramedics and London Fire Brigade and discovered three people injured.

‘The first victim is a 16-year-old boy, his injuries are not life-threatening or life-altering. He remains in the hospital.

‘The second victim is a 27-year-old woman whose condition is neither life-threatening nor life-altering. He was discharged from the hospital.

‘Third victim: A 14-year-old girl whose injuries were potentially life-changing. He remains in the hospital.

‘Testing of the substance continues. At this stage officers believe it is acidic.

‘Urgent investigations are continuing to identify and arrest those responsible. There are many crime scenes.

‘Two police officers who reported feeling unwell were taken to hospital as a precaution.’

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could help police is asked to call 101 quoting reference CAD 4987/30 of 10 September.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: ‘Firefighters have been mobilized to respond to a chemical incident on Harrow Road in Westminster.

‘Firefighters assisted their emergency colleagues and worked to make the scene safe.

‘Two teenagers and one adult female suffered injuries from what the Metropolitan Police Service believes to be acidic and were taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service.

‘The brigade’s 999 Control Officer was called to this incident at 4.50pm and mobilized two fire trucks and around 10 firefighters from North Kensington Fire Station, as well as hazardous materials specialist colleagues.

‘The incident ended for fire crews at 17.45.’