Acid attacks: Police told to check Robinsons Fruit Shoot bottles

Police have been told to check children's drinks bottles over fears they are being used in the recent spate of acid attacks in the UK, according to reports.

It is believed that bottles of Robinsons Fruit Shoots are being filled with nitrous substances and spayed in victim's faces in order to cause "maximum injures".

The warning arrive following a crime spree across north and east London in which two suspects on mopeds attacked five people with acid in less than 90 minutes.

Police in London are now being told to check Fruit Shoot bottles during their searches, reports the Sun.

Former Flying Squad detective superintendent Barry Phillips told the paper: "Who would ever think a Fruit Shoot might be used to fire acid at someone?"

Elsewhere, home secretary Amber Rudd has responded to calls for tougher sentences for those convicted of committing acid attacks by promising anyone found guilty of the offence will feel the "full force of the law".

Writing in the Sunday Times, Rudd said: "The law in this area is already strong, with acid attackers facing up to a life sentence in certain cases. But we can and will improve our response.

"That's why today I am announcing an action plan to tackle acid attacks. It will include a wide-ranging review of the law enforcement and criminal justice response, of existing legislation, of access to harmful products and of the support offered to victims."

The number of acid attacks in London has increased by 175% over a two-year period. Met Police reported 454 crimes involving "ammonia or other noxious substances" in 2016, up from 166 in 2014 and 162 in 2012.