A man has been arrested after an acid attack on two children outside a school in Westminster.

The attack happened at around 2.40pm on Monday, September 30.

Police were flagged down by someone who works at Westminster Academy, based in Alfred Road, after claims that a substance, believed to be acidic, was thrown at two children.

The victims were a 16-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl.

The girl’s injuries are potentially life-changing, but it may be some time before it is known how serious they are.

The boy’s injuries were less severe and he has now been discharged from hospital.

A member of staff at the school sustained injuries as a result of rushing to the two children to give first aid.

On the morning of Thursday, October 3, a man was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

The 35-year-old was taken to a central London police station and remains in custody.

Corey McFaralane, the father of the 14-year-old pupil, told The Standard his daughter was in a stable condition after sustaining burns to the left side of her face, but could be scarred for life.

The 37-year-old from Westminster said: “She’s very traumatised by the attack.

“She’s very scared about her injuries. She’s a young girl, and these scars could be for life.

“She’s very worried about that and has been asking about that.”

Mr McFarlane said he has been staying at his daughter’s bedside in hospital, waking every couple of hours to administer eye drops and apply paraffin to her face “to keep everything in place”.

He said: “I can’t explain what I’m going through. Words can’t explain it.”

He added that the family “haven’t got any idea” of the motive behind the attack.

His older daughter, aged 16, has been at home since the attack and no longer feels safe going out to school.

Mr McFarlane has also set up a GoFundMe for his daughter which aims to raise £9,000.

According to the donation page, the funds would “help cover her expenses and support her journey to recovery”.

In a message posted on the site, Mr McFarlane said: “Words cannot express the shock, pain, and trauma she is going through right now, both physically and emotionally.

"This senseless act of violence has left her with severe injuries that require urgent and long-term medical care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and mental health support.

“We are humbly asking for donations to help cover her expenses and support her journey to recovery.

"Any contribution, big or small, will make a huge difference in her life and help us take the first steps towards healing from this unimaginable attack.”

Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, investigating the incident, said: "The investigation team has been working tirelessly to piece together the events in which two young victims, aged 16 and 14, were approached outside the school by a lone man who threw a substance at them before fleeing.

“We launched an urgent manhunt to identify and arrest the man responsible for this horrific attack. I am pleased to confirm a man was arrested in the early hours of this morning in connection with the incident.

“The 14-year-old girl sustained serious injuries and has returned to hospital having been briefly discharged by doctors.

“It may still be some time before we know the true extent of how serious her injuries are, but at this time they are being treated as potentially life-changing.

“The 16-year-old boy has now been discharged by the hospital and fortunately, his injuries are not as severe as the girl’s.

“A member of staff from the school also sustained injuries as she rushed to the youngsters to provide first aid to them.

“We are aware of the concerns raised by the community and questions that are being asked about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“We have been working closely with our key partners to provide support and reassurance to those affected.

“We will maintain a visible policing presence outside the school and will continue to work closely with the school and local authority.

“I continue to urge anyone who has information about this incident and has not yet contacted police to call the investigations team on 020 7175 4652.

“If you were in the vicinity of Alfred Road around the time of the attack and have dashcam footage that could prove key to our investigation, we ask that you urgently get in touch with us."

If you do not wish to call the investigations team directly, you can provide information and remain 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quoting CAD 4987/30SEP.