Hunt for man who squirted poison on three London shop workers

Three shop workers were sprayed with poison in two separate frightening attacks.

Two staff members at a bookmakers in south London sustained minor injuries, while a post office worker nearby also had the clear liquid squirted in their face.

In an appeal to the public, the Metropolitan Police released a set of images of the man behind the ‘frightening assaults, with no obvious motive’ in Lewisham.

Detectives revealed the first incident happened at about 8.50pm on December 17 last year at a bookmakers on Randlesdown Road, Bellingham, believed to be a William Hill branch.

He entered the premises and repeatedly asked the staff at the counter if they have ‘any games’.

Fearing an attack, they started locking the staff entrance when the man sprayed liquid from a 500ml-sized water bottle at them through the gaps and over the top of the security screens.

Moments later, the same stranger entered the Post Office on Randlesdown Road where he jumped over the counter behind the till and sprayed the worker in the face.

He then left the premises and turned right down Brookehowse Road, heading south.

Victims described their attacker as black and 5ft 8ins tall. He had an English accent and spoke very quietly.

Detective constable Nathan Burrows said: ‘Fortunately, the injuries inflicted by this man were minor and had no lasting effects.

‘However, the violent nature of the assaults and the disregard for public safety is of real concern and this man needs to be found. 

‘I fully appreciate the appeal images are not very good, but I hope that someone still might be able to put a name to this person.

‘These were frightening attacks, with no obvious motive and I would ask anyone with any information to contact police.’

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.

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