Acid Attacks: How Scared Should We Be? - Tonight
This week, Arthur Collins, the ex-boyfriend of Ferne McCann was convicted of using acid in a nightclub in London. There have been 450 attacks this year alone with 40 serious injuries and one death.
The police know they need to deal with the problem and DCI Mike West says they are dealing with it on “the same level as knife and gun crime.”
Tonight spoke to an ex-gang member, Gavin McKenna, who now runs a charity helping youths to lead a life away from crime. Gavin believes that acid is now a weapon of choice for gang members.
Dr Alex Shortt of UCL’s Institute of Immunity and Transplantation is an eye surgeon who has years of experience dealing with people injured by acid.
Dr Alex Shortt was the surgeon who treated acid attack survivor, Andreas Christopheros. Andreas was attacked around Christmas time in 2014 when he had a knock at the door, expecting it to be a delivery. Instead he received a beaker of acid thrown into his face.
Andreas’ attacker, David Phillips, had driven over 300 miles to commit a revenge attack, except he got the wrong address and the wrong man. Andreas was left with 90% burns to the face and blind in one eye.
Phillips was given a life sentence, but his sentence was reduced on appeal as he was considered to not be a danger to the public.
With the number of acid attacks on the increase, would you know what to do in an acid attack?
Tonight spoke to St. John Ambulance trainer, Lisa Pascoulis, to find out what to do in an attack.
Clear the area around the victim and make sure it’s safe. Wear gloves if you have them.
Flood the burn with water for at least 20 minutes, try to get others to help you find as much water as possible. Flush away from the eyes, to avoid eyes being contaminated.
Gently remove any contaminated clothing.
Phone 999 and arrange to send the victim to hospital.
Useful links:
St John Ambulance - advice on what to do in the event of an acid attack
NHS - advice on what to do in the event of an acid attack
Acid Attacks: How Scared Should We Be? will be broadcast on ITV at 7.30pm on Thursday 16th November
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