Acid attackers who left innocent victims maimed and disfigured have walked away without facing justice in more than a quarter of all recent incidents in Greater London, new data has revealed.

The figures, obtained through Freedom of Information requests by law firm Legal Expert, expose a rise in unsolved acid attacks and highlight the scale of a crime trend that has left victims across the capital and neighbouring counties with life-changing injuries.

More than 900 acid attacks were recorded by the Metropolitan Police Service over the past three years, according to the investigation.

The data reveals a sharp escalation in cases, with 103 attacks reported in 2023, rising to 265 in 2024, and reaching 536 in 2025.

In 267 of those cases—with no suspect ever identified—the investigation was closed without anyone being held to account.

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Acid Attacks Recorded by Police Forces in and Around Greater London (Between 2023 and 2025) (Image: Legal Expert)

Ellie Lamey, a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) specialist at Legal Expert, said: “These figures highlight a deeply concerning lack of accountability for what is a barbaric and life-altering crime.

“When perpetrators of such horrific attacks go unidentified, victims are robbed of the justice and closure they so rightfully deserve. Corrosive substance attacks leave victims with devastating physical and psychological scars that can take a lifetime to heal.

“It is absolutely vital that survivors understand they are not alone and that they can still seek specialist support and financial compensation to help rebuild their lives, even if their attacker has completely evaded the courts.”

Even when suspects were identified, justice was not always served. A further 179 investigations over the three-year period collapsed because victims did not support, or later withdrew support for, police action.

In the City of London, police recorded two acid attacks during the same period, though one incident in 2025 was later determined to be a false alarm.

Acid Attacks Recorded by the Metropolitan Police (Between 2023 and 2025) (Image: Legal Expert)

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said that since 2023, the force has quadrupled the charge rate for acid attacks. They added that throughout the capital, they have also reduced all levels of serious violence and work tirelessly to apprehend dangerous offenders and protect the public from harm.

The force noted that Londoners are statistically less likely to be victims of violent crime, with 26.4 offences per 1,000 residents compared to 31.9 per 1,000 across England and Wales. The problem extends beyond the capital into neighbouring counties.

In neighbouring counties, Essex Police recorded 428 acid-related incidents over the three-year period, of which 233 were closed without a suspect ever being identified.

Hertfordshire Constabulary reported 50 attacks, with more than half ending without an identified suspect and only seven cases resulting in a charge or summons.

Kent Police recorded 86 acid attacks between 2023 and 2025. Of those, 23 investigations were closed without identifying a suspect, and just three led to a custodial sentence.

Further south, Surrey Police recorded seven incidents over the three years, leaving three victims without a suspect and securing only a single charge. Sussex Police logged seven attacks, with four of those investigations shut down completely after no suspect was identified.

These figures point to a broader issue of unsolved cases and a high rate of offenders evading justice.

Legal Expert provides free consultations and a 24-hour helpline for those affected by acid attacks.

Victims are reminded they may be eligible for compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), even where an attacker has not been identified or prosecuted.

More information is available on their website at: https://www.legalexpert.co.uk/criminal-injury-compensation/acid-attack-victims-claims/