Witham harmful liquid attack: E-fit of suspect released

Essex Police said the e-fit demonstrated a "strong likeness" to one of the two attackers being sought

An e-fit of a suspect has been released after an attack which left a man with "potentially life-changing" injuries when a liquid was thrown over him.

Officers were called to flats on Bramble Road in Witham on Friday at 10:45 BST.

The 56-year-old man's injuries to his hands and face were described as not life-threatening.

Essex Police said the e-fit demonstrated a "strong likeness" to one of the two attackers being sought.

The victim was taken to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, where he is receiving treatment for his burns.

A police spokeswoman said the victim had gone down to collect his post from the communal entrance to the block of flats when he encountered two men banging on the door.

Det Sgt Becky Young said: "We are sure if anyone knows this man they will recognise this picture.

"As we have indicated already the information that we currently have suggests that the victim was not the intended target of this attack. Unfortunately he appears to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Bramble Road was sealed off while police investigated the attack involving a "harmful liquid"

"The two suspects are described as a white man and a black man and if anyone saw them either in the area prior to this attack or afterwards we would urgently like to speak to them."

Cordons initially put in place in the road have now been removed but police have been carrying out further house to house enquiries in the Bramble Road area.

Anyone who recognises the man in the e-fit or who has other information about the attack is asked to call Essex Police.

Essex's fire service said it sent six crews to the "chemical spill" in Bramble Road