Four people have been injured after they were sprayed with an ‘unknown substance’ outside the University of Greenwich last night.
Metropolitan Police officers were called to reports that a man had been attacked at the Avery Hill campus in south-east London just before 12.15am.
Detectives at the scene then found three other people were also sprayed with the substance. Paramedics took them to hospital.
Tests were carried out and it was confirmed that the substance was non-toxic. None of the victims suffered any life-threatening injuries, and no arrests have been made.
The campus opened as normal this morning – although staff, students and visitors were being directed to an alternative way in after the main entrance was closed.
Photographs taken at the scene this afternoon showed a continued police presence – while a large bottle of water, a blanket and a coat could be seen on the pavement.
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman told MailOnline: ‘On Tuesday, December 10, police were called to Avery Hill Road, SE9 at 0.13am following reports that a man had been attacked and sprayed with an unknown substance.
‘Officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service who treated a man for head injuries on scene before taking him to hospital.
A police van at the University of Greenwich’s Avery Hill campus in south-east London today
A bottle of water can be seen on the pavement at the campus today as investigations continue
A police officer at the entrance to the University of Greenwich’s Avery Hill campus today
‘Whilst conducting enquiries on scene, officers found that three other people were sprayed with the substance. Tests were carried out and it was found that the substance was non-toxic.
‘None of the victims suffered any life-changing or threatening injuries. At this early stage, there have been no arrests and urgent enquiries are ongoing. A crime scene remains in place.’
A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman told MailOnline: ‘We were called at 12.22am in the early hours of this morning to reports of an incident outside the University of Greenwich in Avery Hill Road.
‘We sent a number of resources including ambulance crews, a paramedic in a fast response car and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team. We treated three people at the scene and took them to hospital.’
And a University of Greenwich spokesman told MailOnline: ‘We can confirm we are assisting the police following an incident last night at our Avery Hill campus. The entrance to the campus was closed briefly, but has now re-opened.
Avery Hill campus (file picture) opened as normal today although the main entrance was closed
‘We can confirm that none of those injured in the incident were University of Greenwich students.’
An earlier post from the university on social media said: ‘Following a police incident in front of our Avery Hill campus overnight, the main entrance is currently closed, although the rest of the campus is open as usual.
‘Staff, students and visitors will be directed to an alternative entrance by stewards on arriving at the campus.
‘There may be some delays to the campus bus service as a result. We will keep you updated this morning to advise when the main entrance is reopened.’
Anyone with any information that may help the police investigation has been urged to call 101 stating the reference number CAD45/10DEC24