An east London local authority has threatened to evict anyone convicted of carrying out an acid attack from council accommodation following a spate of attacks in the capital.
Barking and Dagenham Council have said they are looking into which powers they have to take action against perpetrators, including evicting council tenants where they are found to be responsible for an attack.
‘Acid attacks ruin lives and are sadly becoming all too common,’ said leader of the council, Darren Rodwell.
‘We are doing everything we can to work with our colleagues in the police to prevent them from happening and to ensure the perpetrators are caught and brought to justice.
‘The council cannot do it alone, but rest assured I am exploring with officers, everything within our powers as a council including evicting perpetrators who are council tenants.
‘We have thousands of honest, responsible people crying out for a council home so I want to make sure that anyone found to be doing this has that privilege taken away and given to someone who truly deserves it.’
The capital has seen an increase in acid attacks over the Summer. Earlier this month two men on mopeds targeted five victims in 90 minutes, leaving one with severe injuries.
According to a Freedom of Information request to the Metropolitan Police, Barking & Dagenham have experienced a rapid increase in attacks using acid in recent years.
In 2014 the figure was 15 attacks. This almost doubled to 29 the following year and in 2016 it almost doubled again to 57.
The council is calling on the Government and deputy mayor for policing for tougher sentencing and changes to the law so there are greater controls on the purchase of acid.
Cllr Laila Butt, cabinet member for enforcement and community safety also appealed for businesses and the community to help the authorities tackle the issue.
Cllr Butt said: ‘I would like to appeal to parents, neighbours and shopkeepers to be vigilant and play their part in helping us stop these attacks happening.
‘I would ask people to be careful about who they let into their homes, while our CCTV operatives and trading standards officers will double their efforts to help the police with their investigations.’