East London acid rampage linked to ongoing gang feud

An acid attack spree that injured six and hospitalised three may have been the latest in a series of tit-for-tat revenge attacks between East London gangs. 

Schoolboy Corey Junior Davis, 14, who was linked to the Woodgrange group, was shot from behind at close range next to a playground in Forest Gate earlier in the month.

Locals believe the shooting was itself a revenge attack arranged by the Beckton E6 crew following the stabbing of an 18-year-old during a mass brawl.

Now there are fears the acid attack was payback for the Corey’s death, with one shop worker at the Stratford Centre linking the two attacks abd gangs.

A sales assistant called Darren, who had to remove acid from the windows of his shop, told the Mirror: ‘Two gangs had an argument and there was a fight which extended out into the middle of the centre. 

‘Over the last few months there has been a lot of friction between the gangs in East London. These kids were aged about 14, there were others no older than 18.

‘A lot of these kids hang around here during the night. There was that shooting a few weeks ago of that boy, it could be revenge for that.’

There are fears the acid attack was payback for the Corey’s death, with one shop worker at the Stratford Centre linking the two attacks

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of GBH and remains in custody following the attack.

Chief superintendent Ade Adelekan, borough commander for Newham, said: ‘What initially may have been perceived as a number of random attacks has, on closer inspection, been found to be one incident involving two groups of males.

‘I recognise the lasting impact on victims of corrosive substance attacks.

Six people were injured when the gang of men sprayed a noxious liquid into crowds outside the centre and at a next-door tube station causing widespread panic

‘Our response to such attacks is continually improving through training and joint working with partners and we are working with the Home Office to explore possible restrictions around the sale of corrosive substances in conjunction with retailers and manufacturers.’

While a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: ‘Whether the attack is linked to the murder of Corey Junior Davis is not something that has been flagged up to us by the officers.

‘It is probably too early for us to confirm anything at this point and inquiries into motive are ongoing.’ 

Six people were injured when the gang of men sprayed a noxious liquid into crowds outside the centre and at a next-door tube station causing widespread panic.

Dramatic video and images shared on social media show police treating victims behind a cordon at Stratford station where a white substance can be seen on the floor.

Witnesses described the panic in the moments after the mass attack as injured people hurried to wash their faces and limbs with water.

Police have ruled out terrorism and arrested one man on suspicion of GBH. Witnesses claimed the substance was thrown by ‘young black teenage males’ after an argument broke out.