A manhunt involving a “big team” of police officers is under way for a North East suspect in a corrosive substance attack in south London that left a mother and her two children in hospital.

The suspect in the attack last night is Abdul Ezedi from the Newcastle area, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed. 

Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said police were working with other agencies to locate the 35-year-old and have warned the public not to approach him.

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He said: “We’re working alongside Northumbria, we believe the male is from the Newcastle area.

“And he could be going back there, he may not be, but he could be."

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Superintendent Cameron said Abdul Ezedi has significant injuries to the right side of his face.

“The male was last seen in the north London area, Caledonian Road, and if you see him – there’ll be some images circulated later today – if you see him, I plea to not approach him, call 999,” he said.

A 31-year-old woman and her two daughters, aged eight and three, remain in hospital after a corrosive substance attack in south London, with injuries to the woman and younger child potentially life-changing.

Three women – two in their 30s and one in her 50s – who came to the aid of the family have since been discharged from hospital with minor burns injuries.

A man in his 50s who also helped declined hospital treatment for minor injuries.

Five police officers who were injured as they responded have all been treated and left hospital.The Northern Echo: A woman and her two young children were taken to hospital

The substance thrown as part of the attack is now known to be alkaline, the Metropolitan Police said.

The suspect in a the attack may have been known to police previously, the Metropolitan Police said.

Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said: “At this stage I believe he may have been known to police, but he’s not a local resident from London as far as I’m aware.

“He’s come down from Newcastle,” he said.

He said that it was a “horrific crime” against a “vulnerable female”.

He added: “We will catch him, I am wholeheartedly confident.”

“British Transport Police are also working alongside us as well. So we are working in collaboration with other agencies to try and locate this male.”

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley told BBC News: “It’s understandable that it’s frightening.

“Fortunately, attacks using acid and chemicals are exceedingly rare. We did have a spate of them two or three years ago, you might remember.

“It’s not something we’ve seen much of at all recently, I’m pleased to say.

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“This is a ghastly attack, and the first thing to say is we have a live manhunt.

“The suspected offender we believe was known to the victims and so we have a big team of officers, (including) the local officers who dealt with it assisted by colleagues.

“We are hunting for him as we speak.”