olice are hunting a masked man in sunglasses who sprayed a noxious liquid over three people in quick-fire attacks on a bookmaker and post office in southeast London.
Detectives released images of a man who launched two separate attacks within minutes on Randlesdown Rd, Bellingham on Friday, December 17.
In the first attack, police said a man entered a betting shop and asked two members of staff at the counter: “Do you have any games?”
They asked him what he meant and he repeated the phrase. Fearing an attack, the members of staff immediately locked the staff entrance.
The man then squirted a clear noxious liquid at them through the gaps and over the top of the security screens.
The liquid was in a 500ml sized water bottle and hit both victims causing minor injuries.
The man then fled.
Moments later, at 8.54pm, the same man entered the Post Office on Randlesdown Rd.
He jumped over the counter behind the till area where the victim was sitting. He used the same bottle of noxious fluid to spray the victim’s face.
He then left the premises and turned right down Brookehowse Rd heading south.
The man was described by officers as Black and 5ft 8ins tall; he had an English accent and spoke very quietly.
DC Nathan Burrows, of the Met’s Specialist Crime, said: “Fortunately, the injuries inflicted by this man were minor and had no lasting effects. However, the violent nature of the assaults and the disregard for public safety is of real concern and this man needs to be found.
“I fully appreciate the appeal images are not very good, but I hope that someone still might be able to put a name to this person. These were frightening attacks, with no obvious motive and I would ask anyone with any information to contact police.”
Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote reference CAD 7156/07Dec21. To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.