Smethwick high street attack has created 'climate of fear'
Rescuers have told of an terrifying attack on a man at a cashpoint who was sprayed in the face with an unknown liquid.
Fearing he had been attacked with acid the 27-year-old victim began tearing his clothes off while people nearby were throwing bottles of water over him.
The victim was left with blurred vision after the attack by two men at the Lloyds bank ATM on Smethwick High Street at 10.45pm on Thursday.
He cancelled his transaction and nothing was stolen. He did not suffer any burns or blisters and Sandwell Police do not believe it is a corrosive substance.
Deepa Singh was at the nearby gurdwara where he works when the attack happened just a few doors down and was one of those who rushed to help.
He said: “I saw a guy in the middle of the road by the cashpoint and he was tearing his top off and saying he had been attacked with acid.
“We went over and tried to help. We were getting bottles of water out of the car and throwing it over him before the police came which was quite quick to be fair. It is scary for locals.”
Five ambulances, two fire trucks and two police cars later got to the scene and sprayed him with water to ensure it was not acid.
Businesses on High Street have reacted with shock and fear over the attack.
Anil Sohal, who works at Urban Estates next door to Lloyds Bank, said: “It is scary. It is going to create fear on the high street.
“We try to park at the front of the shop rather than around the back so we only have to do a short walk to the car. We order bottles of water to keep on our doorstep so if something happens again we can screw the lid off and pour water over them.”
No arrests have yet been made and CCTV is being analysed along with the victim’s clothing.
Anyone with information on the attack is asked to call CID on 101 (ext 811 3082) or email Sgt Ben Parsons at b.parsons@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk
