Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) is calling for immediate action in response to a concerning rise in corrosive substance attacks across the UK. New research conducted by ASTI through nationwide FOI requests reveals a 10% year-on-year increase in physical attacks involving corrosives, with 498 incidents recorded in 2024, compared to 454 in 2023. While the issue affects communities nationwide, some regions have seen disproportionate spikes. Northumbria alone accounted for almost a quarter of all cases, despite representing just 2% of the UK population.

The human cost of acid violence is devastating, leaving survivors with life-altering injuries and enduring trauma. But the societal burden is also immense: each attack carries an estimated economic cost of £63,000, leading to a total cost of over £31 million in 2024 alone. While historically associated with gang-related violence, new figures show a growing link to violence against women and girls: one in three physical attacks involved female.

Behind these numbers are victims whose lives have been shattered.

ASTI is urging government and industry stakeholders, particularly retailers and online platforms, to ensure strict controls are in place to prevent sales of dangerous corrosives. We must work together to stop these devastating attacks.