Detectives have released CCTV images of two men they want to speak to after a man was attacked with a 'corrosive substance' in Oldham on Wednesday evening (May 11). Police were scrambled to the incident at an address on Burlington Avenue shortly before 10.40pm, where a man was hospitalised.
Police raced to the scene after being called by the North West Ambulance Service, to a report of a man being attacked with a substance suspected of being acid. The victim is said to have answered the door when a man threw the liquid over him from a bottle before running away towards Manley Road. It is believed the attacker arrived at the address with another male.
The victim, 39, was treated at the scene by specialist emergency service personnel before being taken to hospital for treatment to serious facial burns. His condition is described as stable and not life-threatening.
READ MORE Man taken to hospital following suspected acid attack
Enquiries are being conducted by detectives in Oldham CID, alongside partners from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service, as they continue to trace what the liquid was and those responsible.
Investigators have said they are 'keeping an open-mind' at this stage, but added they believe that the man was deliberately targeted and that the victim is known to the suspect. No arrests have been made yet.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "Shortly before 10.40pm on Wednesday 11 May we were called by NWAS to a report of a man being attacked with a substance suspected of being acid at an address on Burlington Avenue, Oldham. A man in his 30s was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with burns and he remains in a stable condition."
David Jago, chief officer for The Royal Oldham Hospital said: “Last night our staff at The Royal Oldham Hospital worked with local emergency services to deal with a localised and isolated incident after a patient was brought to our Emergency Department by ambulance after being exposed to a suspected hazardous substance. The patient is currently being treated in hospital for burns where their condition is being monitored.
“I would like to thank our teams who have worked well with colleagues in our partner agencies in dealing with this incident professionally and safely in line with our robust and tried and tested plans. All patients at our Emergency Department are safe and there is no risk to staff and the public following a deep clean and decontamination of the department”.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police online via their LiveChat facility or by calling 101 quoting incident 3391 of 11/05/2022.
An online portal has been formed for any images or video footage – include dash-cam – to be uploaded as part of our enquiries: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP22Q15-PO1. Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
