Clapham attack victim just wanted safe home for her children, friends say, as new addresses are raided

The woman left severely injured after a chemical attack in south London just wanted "a safe home for her and her beautiful, kind little girls", close friends have said, as police say they have raided more addresses.

A major manhunt is under way for suspect Abdul Ezedi, 35, who is accused of pouring a strong alkali on his ex-partner and injuring her two children, aged three and eight.

The Metropolitan Police said two raids have been carried out at addresses in Newcastle upon Tyne associated with Ezedi.

The Met said the raids in the early hours of Thursday morning were a joint operation with Northumbria Police and the addresses included Ezedi's place of work.

No arrests were made and inquiries and searches are continuing.

In an update yesterday police said the 31-year-old victim was still sedated in hospital and was "too poorly to speak" due to her "significant injuries".

One of her daughters was also hit with the liquid while witnesses described the three-year-old girl being slammed to the ground in Lessar Avenue in Clapham on 31 January.

A fundraiser launched by close friends of the family said: "Our friend is first and foremost a devoted and loving mother. Her children are her life.

"She is generous to a fault and a wonderful cook and host. All she has ever wanted is a safe home for her and her beautiful, kind little girls.

"As their loved ones we are still coming to terms with the fact that this monstrous attack will change their lives forever. It is difficult to imagine now how they will recover, and all we want is for them to be able to rebuild their lives."

Members of the public in Lessar Avenue, Clapham, rushed to help the family in the wake of the attack and a number were injured themselves.

The statement continued: "We cannot put into words how grateful we are to the heroic neighbours of Lessar Avenue.

"They risked their own lives to save them and we can only imagine how distressing the attack was for them too.

"They are angels in our eyes."

The GoFundMe fundraiser has so far raised nearly £7,000 for the family.

A £20,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of Ezedi, who police have described as "dangerous".

The injured mother had been in a relationship with her suspected attacker, police have said, adding the breakdown of the relationship may have been a motive for the harrowing attack.

Ezedi, who is not the father of the children who were hurt, suffered significant facial injuries which investigators warned could be "fatal" if left untreated.

Police believe Ezedi received help to stay undetected

Police revealed Ezedi was last seen crossing London's Vauxhall Bridge at 11pm and then walking next to the River Thames on the night of the attack.

They said there is no evidence yet to suggest he jumped in the river.

Police believe he has received help from others to stay undetected.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on Monday on suspicion of assisting an offender. He was taken into custody and later released on bail as the police investigation continues.

Ezedi is an Afghan refugee who came to the UK in 2016 and was allowed to remain in the country despite being convicted of two sex offences in 2018 and twice being rejected for asylum.

-sky news