London police officers are asking convenience retailers to help in the fight against acid attacks by restricting sales of corrosive substances.
Safer Neighborhood Team officers in St Helier and Merton Park in south-west London have been visiting stores to encourage owners to agree to ask for ID with proof of address for every purchase of corrosive substances, to only accept payment via debit or credit card, and to only sell the substances to those over the age of 18.
The voluntary restrictions come under Merton borough council’s “Corrosive Liquids Responsible Retailers Agreement”, and go further than existing voluntary agreements that only include age restrictions.
Speaking to Retail Express, detective superintendent Mike West, the Met’s lead for corrosive-based crime, said: “This is currently just a local initiative being trialled in association with Merton borough council.”
He continued: “We recognise the lasting impact on victims of corrosive attacks, and are improving our response through training, investment and joint working.”
Currently, when it comes to common convenience products like bleach, drain cleaner and sink unblocker, “it is not illegal for consumers to purchase strong acid or for retailers to sell it” according to London trading standards’ latest guidance.
However, the organisation’s spokesperson Steve Playle said: “We are confident that responsible retailers will be open to any measures that improve controls on the supply of corrosive substances, particularly to young people.”
Amil Patel of Londis Crown Lane in Morden received a visit from his local officer to discuss signing up to the voluntary agreement, but told Retail Express that the measures are misguided.
“The agreement puts the onus on retailers to tackle the issue, why is it our responsibility? It isn’t a problem that happened overnight – it started in homes and in schools, not in shops,” he said.
“I offered to sign it, but all the agreements and partnerships in the world won’t fix it. The answer is giving schools, parents and the police the information and power with which to tackle it.”
The National Police Chiefs’ Council has said restriction on cleaning products would be nearly impossible to enforce, but the pressure for tighter regulation continues to grow, driven by the increasing frequency of the acid attacks. Four hundred attacks took place in England and Wales between November 2016 and April 2017, with the BBC reporting a 74% yearly increase in attacks in London alone.
Most of the acid attacks were by those under the age of 18, and Playle suggested trading standards would support making the fluids age-restricted items. “We are also happy to be involved in any work to tackle those retailers who simply put profit before responsibility,” he said.
Hackney borough has also launched its own voluntary initiative calling for retailers not to sell corrosive substances to those under 21.
If you are a retailer and suspect that a customer will carry out an acid attack, the Met advise calling Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111
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