Clapham attacker Abdul Ezedi 'may have gang links' say cops as manhunt continues

04 February 2024 , 22:32

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Abdul Ezedi has still not been found following the attack on Wednesday January 31 (Image: PA)

The suspected Clapham chemical attacker could be using "gang links" to escape the law, police fear.

A huge manhunt is continuing for Abdul Ezedi after 12 people were left injured in the chemical attack in London on January 31 - with a mother and her two children among the victims. A 31-year-old woman remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital, having suffered what are likely to be life-changing injuries from a corrosive alkaline chemical.

Her daughters, aged three and eight, are in hospital with less serious injuries. Ezedi, 35, was last seen leaving Tower Hill Underground station at 9.33pm on Wednesday.

Now, as the investigation enters a new week, detectives are said to be exploring whether organised crime groups may be helping him evade capture. Top agents from the National Crime Agency (NCA) brought in to aid with the police probe have tabled the new theory, the Sunday Times reports.

Relatives told Sky News that Ezedi had been in a relationship with the injured mum, who is thought to have been living in a hotel in Clapham with the two girls for a fortnight in a bid to escape him. Ezedi has also been revealed as a convicted sex offender, having pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault and one of exposure at Newcastle Crown Court in 2018.

Brave bus driver ran to save girl from chemical attack after hearing screams

CCTV images of Ezedi at the Tesco store in London's Caledonian Road in the hours following the attack have been released by police (PA)

Abdul Ezedi's brother Hassan has urged him to hand himself in - and said he would bring him to the police himself if he knew his whereabouts. As part of the renewed appeal, officers have released CCTV footage showing Ezedi at the Tesco store in London's Caledonian Road on January 31.

The suspect had changed trains at Victoria, where he arrived on the Victoria Line at 9.10pm and departed on the eastbound District Line at 9.16pm. Commander Savell said: “The liquid used in the attack was a very strong concentrated corrosive substance, either liquid sodium hydroxide or liquid sodium carbonate. Further enquiries are ongoing including comparison with the containers seized from Ezedi’s address in Newcastle.”

Members of the public have been urged not to approach him. The operation to find Ezedi is being led by the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, who are working alongside a broad range of specialist departments and local policing teams. In addition, the Met is working with the Home Office, UK Border Force, UK Visas and Immigration, the National Crime Agency, British Transport Police and several other police forces. Ezedi's details have been circulated to all UK police forces and ports.

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas