Huge surge in acid attacks as MPs expected to call for clampdown on sales of cleaning products

Britain has suffered the worst number of acid attacks of any developed country in the world, it was claimed today.

And the huge increase in the acid linked incidents could still be just the tip of the iceberg.

Many victims are too terrified to report the crimes to police fearing further reprisals.

MPs are soon expected to call for a clampdown on the sales of household cleaning products to try and halt the surge in attacks.

Jaf Shah, director of Acid Survivors Trust International: “Per head of population, the UK has more male-on-male acid attacks than any other country in the world.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have the full picture because victims’ fear of reprisals mean many of these attacks go unreported.”

There were 248 reported assaults in 2012 but that figure had risen to 720 last year.

Dr Jorge Leon-Villapalos, of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, said he had recently started to see more cases involving young people.

He said they were often attacked at social events, where they were “potentially in the wrong place at the wrong time”.

“For a young person, they will always want to return to normality, so these patients become your patients for life.”

Katie Gee, 20, from north London was scarred for life in an acid attack on the island of Zanzibar back in 2013.

Yesterday she broke her silence as she is so concerned at the rise in attacks

She said: “Something needs to be done about getting access to acid so easily.”

And for the first time she gave details of her recovery.

She said: “For almost a year until the end of 2014, I spent my life between hospital and home. I had more than 50 operations - I’ve still got several to go.

“In the aftermath of my attack, I spent my time bingeing on US television dramas such as Prison Break and Californication.

“While in hospital I looked forward to falling asleep, to avoid having to deal with the physical pain of the surgical procedures.

“However, sleeping came with its own problems. I had a recurring nightmare of being chased by attackers. It was difficult to deal with at first.

“Ultimately I was helped by a therapist who advised me to clutch onto a pillow or duvet every time I awoke from a nightmare to re-engage my senses and help my brain conclude that nothing bad had happened.

“Another recurring dream was waking up to find all my scars had vanished. But even when I awoke, knowing it was a dream, I was still hopeful it was true - so hopeful that I would get out of bed and look in the mirror.”

Katie and Kirstie Trup were both 18 and teaching English when they were attacked back in August 2013.

Months later the Tanzanian authorities claimed two men were arrested and charged but no-one has ever come before a court for the crime.

The woman have said they believe claims of arrests were just a “political stunt.”