Man doused ‘in bleach’ at Broadway Market earlier than attacker fled the scene

A man was doused in a substance ‘believed to be bleach’ at a busy east London market before the attacker fled the scene. 

The victim was targeted at around 1.40pm on Thursday while walking through Broadway Market in Hackney. 

Police have launched an urgent manhunt with the suspect still on the run. A cordon has been placed around the scene, which is popular with tourists and locals.

One onlooker shared a picture of a large emergency services presence at the scene shortly after the attack.

A spokesman for the Met Police said: ‘Police were called at about 13:40hrs on Thursday, 14 November to reports of an assault at Broadway Market, E8. 

‘Emergency services attended and were informed that a substance, believed to be bleach, had been poured onto a man at the location. 

‘The man was treated at the scene. Officers remain in the area. There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.’

The London Ambulance Service said: ‘We were called at 1.40pm today to reports of an assault on Broadway Market, E8.

The scene at Broadway Market in Hackney this afternoon. A cordon has been placed around the area, which is popular with tourists and locals

The victim was targeted at around 1:40pm this afternoon while walking through Broadway Market in Hackney

‘We sent resources, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer and members of our tactical response unit.

‘We assessed a patient at the scene but they declined further treatment.’

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said ‘it does not appear that firefighters were required to take any direct action at the scene’.

They added: ‘We sent two fire engines to support emergency service colleagues because of the nature of the incident as it involved hazardous material.’