CONCERNS have been raised about “easy to buy” chemicals among teenagers after a string of devastating acid attacks in east London.

The Metropolitan Police says it is “trying to understand why more people want to use a noxious substance as a weapon” after a series of high profile attacks in the area recently.

They include a burglary in Goodmayes in December when a 62-year-old was sprayed in the face with ammonia, an assault on two teenagers and a man in after an under 16s football match in Barkingside last week, and the “shocking” attack on ex-boxer Michael Watson in Chingford.

A Met spokesman said: “The Metropolitan Police Service is aware of a growing trend in the use of noxious substances in assaults.

“Anyone who does this will be arrested and prosecuted for serious offences including GBH and possession of an offensive weapon.

“We would ask for parents and teachers to help us. If your child or a pupil is storing and carrying a noxious substance, then ask them why.

“Noxious substances are easy to buy over the counter and we want to work with commercial traders to raise awareness that people maybe using these items as weapons.”

The spokesman said the Met is equally committed to cracking down on the use of dangerous chemicals as it is to knife and gun crime.

They added: “Assaults involving corrosive liquids such as acids are horrific and the impact on victims is devastating.

“We would encourage anyone who has suffered from any form of assault to contact the police.”