Nightclub acid attack: Two held as police say 'net is closing' on suspects

Two men remain in custody following their arrest in connection with a nightclub attack that left two people partially blinded.

A 24-year-old man was arrested at an address in north London on suspicion of grievous bodily harm on Friday evening, following the earlier arrest of a 21-year-old man on the same charges, also in north London.

Officers also carried out three arrest warrants at addresses in Hertfordshire and others in Milton Keynes.

They are still trying to trace 25-year-old Arthur Collins, the boyfriend of reality TV star Ferne McCann.

A 22-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man were both blinded in one eye in the attack at Mangle E8 in Dalston, east London, in the early hours of Monday.

Officers believe a dispute between two groups of people developed inside the venue, resulting in a noxious substance being sprayed by a male suspect directly at the pair.

Some 20 people suffered burns, with 12 people attending hospital. Other people inside the venue suffered the effects of the substance.

:: Victim reveals acid injuries after attack at London bar Mangle E8

Sophie Hall is the latest victim to speak about her ordeal. She told The Sun: "There was panic and shouting and I just started crying because my face felt as if it was on fire."

The 21-year-old, who had been on a night out to celebrate a friend's birthday, added: "I looked in the mirror and saw how disfigured my face was.

"The acid had run down my cheeks and burnt into my skin. I was hysterical."

Detective Inspector Lee McCullough said the investigation was "moving at great pace" and the net was "closing in on those we believe to be responsible".

He said: "This incident has caused suffering to a large group of people and left a young man and a woman blinded in one eye and many others needing long-term treatment.

"The noxious substance used has not yet been confirmed, but samples retrieved from the scene have been sent for analysis.

"If you were there and saw anyone involved inside or leaving the nightclub, please get in touch."

A 33-year-old woman, who was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences following the raids on Thursday, has been bailed to return at a later date.

:: Anyone with information about the attack can contact police on 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or tweet @MetCC.