Police are investigating a robbery that took place on Upper Rainham Road / Elm Park Avenue in Hornchurch on Friday, 28 March, after a woman was reportedly sprayed in the eyes with a substance and had her bag stolen.
Emergency Response
Officers were called to the scene at 3.34pm following reports of the attack. Upon arrival, they found the victim suffering from the effects of an unknown substance that had been sprayed into her eyes. The woman received initial first aid from the attending officers before being treated by London Ambulance Service and subsequently taken to the hospital.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the woman was conscious but in distress and that medical professionals are continuing to assess her condition.
Investigation Underway
No arrests have been made at this time, and the police are actively investigating the incident. Officers are reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area and conducting interviews with witnesses. The nature of the substance used in the attack is still being determined.
A spokesperson for the Met Police said:
“This was a shocking and distressing incident for the victim. We are doing everything we can to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. We are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage from the area at the time to come forward.”
Appeal for Information
Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or seen suspicious activity in the area at the time to contact them.
If you have any information, please call 101 or reach out via X (formerly Twitter) @MetCC, quoting CAD4690/28Mar. Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
Community Reaction
Local residents have expressed their concerns about the safety of the area following the incident. One witness said:
“It’s terrifying to think this could happen in broad daylight. I hope the woman is okay, and the police catch whoever did this.”
Authorities are urging the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
