Manhunt underway after 'corrosive substance attack' outside Manchester school

A manhunt has been launched after two men wearing balaclavas poured a “corrosive substance” onto a car outside a primary school in Manchester.

Police were called to reports two men had damaged a car as a woman was collecting two of her children from St Barnabas C of E Primary Academy in Openshaw shortly after 3.20pm on Tuesday.

The men, who were both wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, smashed the windows and poured an unknown corrosive substance on the car, Greater Manchester Police said.

Police said a search of the area was continuing as they worked to find those responsible.

While police were unable to say whether the women and two children were in the car at the time, they confirmed no one was injured.

Inspector Colin Macdiarmid, of GMP’s City of Manchester Division, said: “I know this incident will cause a lot of concern in the local community but I want to assure people in the area that we are responding and have officers working to find the men responsible.

“We will continue to have increased visible patrols in the area for some time and I would encourage anyone with concerns to approach one of our officers to raise them.”

Anybody with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 1110 of 25/09/18, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111