New sighting of Clapham suspect reported - as man held 'for assisting offender'

A man has been arrested on suspicion of “hiding” the Clapham chemical attack suspect.

The 22-year-old man was arrested on Monday morning for allegedly assisting an offender and has been released on bail.

Police have said the manhunt for Abdul Ezedi – the suspect in the attack – is working at a “considerable pace”, with more than 100 officers across the UK involved.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

They will release new CCTV footage of him on Southwark Bridge, central London, on Wednesday evening.

Follow live: Manhunt search in fifth day

They have recovered Ezedi’s mobile phone from the car involved in the incident and are analysing it to establish the relationship between him and the victim.

They are not sure how long Ezedi has known the woman injured in the attack or if they were in a relationship, but said it is vital for them to understand how they knew each other.

Clapham attack manhunt – latest: Man arrested ‘for hiding Clapham suspect’ – as manhunt police reveal they have Abdul Ezedi’s mobile phone

Clapham chemical attack: New CCTV of suspect shows him smiling day before

Money latest: Asda to open 110 convenience shops this month – here’s where

Police said she has “significant facial injuries” and could lose sight in her right eye. She is still sedated in a critical but stable condition.

Police have narrowed down the substance used to “one or two alkalines” and also confirmed that Ezedi is not the father of the children who were injured in the attack.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Twelve people were injured in total in the attack involving a corrosive alkaline substance in Clapham, southwest London, on Wednesday 31 January, including the woman, 31, and her two daughters, aged three and eight, who have been discharged from hospital.

Ezedi, 35, has been urged by police to hand himself in after going on the run following the attack involving a corrosive alkaline substance in Clapham, southwest London, on Wednesday 31 January.

A reward of up to £20,000 is being offered for information on Ezedi, 35, amid an ongoing national manhunt, with the Metropolitan Police working with the British Transport Police and officers with Northumbria Police in Newcastle, where Ezedi lived.

Detectives said anyone harbouring Ezedi would be committing a criminal offence.

The investigation is being staffed as if it was a murder hunt or a counter-terror operation, police said. It is a nationwide operation, but focused on Newcastle and south London.

The suspect travelled on the London Underground using his bank card on Wednesday night, police said, but the card has not been used since Wednesday.

Earlier on Monday, investigators published new footage showing Ezedi shopping for groceries and smiling in Newcastle the day before his alleged chemical attack.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Read Entire Article