Acid Attacks In London

[Kromovaracun]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40604002

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/men-on-mopeds-carried-out-five-acid-attacks-in-90-minutes-in-london-police-say-hackney-east-london-a7840346.html

Two teenagers carried out 5 acid attacks in about 90 minutes last night in north London. Seems they were targeting random people on the street and robbing them.

How on earth could they have gotten their hands on such a potent acid?

[mikey4444]

Apparently its quite easy to get hold of acid, at least according to the Today Programme this morning,

Shocking. But the Police appear to have someone in custody.

[naomi24]

The same subject was discussed here quite recently. DannyK13 posted this link.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/612934/Acid-attack-campaign-Express-buys-sulphuric-acid

[mikey4444]

Jut had a look on ebay....1 litre of sulphuric acid, £6.86, plus P+P.

[douglas9401]

Oh well, at least they have somebody in custody. Now the justice system can take over and deal with the person ensuring an apt punishment for the crime.

Yes, I know.

[EDDIE51]

Hydrochloric Acid is available as Spirit of Salts from any DIY / Plumbing store. It is used as Lime scale remover. Sulfuric acid is available as 'Drain Unblocker'
But many people do not realise that Alkali burns are even worse than Acid burns. The strongest Alkali in common use is Sodium Hydroxide known as Caustic Soda. Easily available in any DIY shop.Even my corner shop sells it and Spirit of Salts.
All you need do to make a highly caustic liquid is to dissolve Caustic Soda in water.

[Old_Geezer]

I doubt many have a legitimate domestic use for sulphuric acid. Drain clearance and lead batteries are all I can think of. Maybe it should be licenced or signed for. Yes there are other ways to make caustic stuff (H&S stopped us getting decent paint strippers because of it) but I don't believe many bad guys could be bothered mixing their own, and bottling it. Purchase is convenient.

[EDDIE51]

^ How difficult is it to buy a couple of packs of Caustic Soda and pour them into a liter of water?
You need to wear goggles as the water will get very hot or even boil and there is a danger of it spitting and getting in your eye, (which can cause almost instant blindness)

[mikey4444]

There are lots of other things that idiots like this could use, which would be impossible to regulate....look under your sink or behind your loo !

[Baldric]

Well thanks for giving the recipe Eddie, education of the masses is important to you obviously.

[Kromovaracun]

Jesus.

How horrifying. Pretty much nothing can be done to stop it then.

[ummmm]

It's scary because it's random...

[EDDIE51]

Baldric , it is the most basic chemistry, something a pupil is taught on the first day of a 'O' level chemistry or general science course. I scarcely could be accused of teaching it.

[douglas9401]

Citizen action is needed.
Those nearby pull attackers from their vehicle, beat them to within an inch of their lives then walk away nonchalantly, whistling softly.

[Kromovaracun]

By the sounds of it, that information is widely available on the internet and even in public libraries

What a ruthless and vicious method of robbery. I can't help but wonder if they would have been caught if they had been less careless.

[Baldric]

Trust me Eddie, it will be News to some on here.

[ummmm]

Well I didn't know and I was never taught it!

No such thing as 'o' level chemistry either.

[CrapAtCryptics]

I cant understand how people can have such a callous disregard for others for the sake of a few quid - one victim has "life-changing" injuries I hope they catch them soon.

[EDDIE51]

Ummm In my day it was O level, but exactly same applies to whatever the Chemistry/ Science courses in school are called now. Information on Acids and Alkalis is part of the basic safety rules that are taught before a pupil is allowed into a school Chemistry laboratory.
As said any public library will have many books with the same information in them,then there is Google.

[Kromovaracun]

Well the info was clearly available to these two teenagers, I imagine we'll learn in subsequent weeks how exactly they figured out this tactic. They clearly are not dumb (if extremely callous, violent and reckless).

[albaqwerty]

They are scum.
A truly dreadful thing to do.

I heard on the news the police have one in custody. Just hope they don't release it on bail.
Surely they wouldn't?