Three schoolboys arrested after alleged acid attack at Dagenham school

Three schoolboys have been arrested after an alleged acid attack at a school in east London left pupils in hospital.

The boys, believed to be aged 12, 13 and 15, were arrested on suspicion of GBH following a fight involving a “noxious substance” at Sydney Russell School in Dagenham.

Police were called to a disturbance at the mixed gender academy, rated "outstanding" by Ofsted in 2013, at 2pm on Wednesday afternoon.

A number of people were injured in the alleged attack and three teenage students had to be taken to an east London hospital for treatment.

The Met police launched an investigation on Wednesday, while the three young boys arrested remained in custody.

The Sydney Russell School, on Parsloes Avenue, has almost 2,000 pupils aged 11-18.

A Met Police spokesman said: “Police were called to Sydney Russell School in Parsloes Avenue at 1400 hours to reports of a fight between youths, where a noxious substance had been used.

“A number of people have been injured and three persons taken to an east London hospital for treatment.

“Three males have been arrested on suspicion of GBH and taken to an est London police station where they remain in custody. Enquiries continue.”

If anyone has any information they are urged to contact police via 101 or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.