Police are appealing for information after a man was treated for facial burns in a possible “chemical attack” after a fight during a football match which could be linked to a stabbing later that night.

The attack is believed to have happened in Goals Five-a-side Football Centre just after 8.30pm last night. The man was rushed to hospital.

Police taped off what was described as a crime scene in the Ely Close and Beverley Way area this morning, on the border of Raynes Park and New Malden, by the A3.

Natt Wilson, duty manager at Goals, said: “We have logged everything in with the police. It is now in their hands. We are liaising with them.

“It was a game of football that got a bit out of control. There was some words and then something happened after that. Police were called. Ambulance were called.”

He added Goals was still open for business and that it had not been confirmed what the liquid thrown was.

A witness, who did not want to be named, said: “I was at Goals, Beverley Way, last night and a man in his early twenties was attacked by his opposing team member and had a chemical splashed in his face.

“Not quite sure what it was, smelt like an alcoholic based chemical.”

Later on a Metropolitan Police spokesman said investigating officers had attempted to approach a parked car in Beverley Way, New Malden just before 1am this morning but the driver had fled.

They found a 20-year-old man who had been assaulted near where the car had been parked.

A London Ambulance spokeswoman said the victim was treated for facial burns by paramedics who arrived in the street just before 2am.

He remains in a critical condition in a south London hospital.

Police have not confirmed whether the man that was assaulted had received facial injuries or whether this attack was linked to the previous attack in Goals.

The attack in New Malden is also being linked to a fight at 12.40am in St Marks Close, Fulham, where a man was seen by witnesses being dragged into a car.

A 19-year-old was also stabbed in Fulham.

He was taken to a west London hospital and has since been discharged.

No arrests have been made in connection to all three incidents last night.

A New Malden resident said: "Don't know what's happened but no one can get out of my road to go to work by car as police won't let them.

"All they said is there's been a serious incident that's life-threatening and that it's a crime scene."

Police have started to let people drive out onto the A3 although the area is still restricted. 

It is believed the car involved was a silver Mercedes C220 Estate, although it is unknown how many people were inside the vehicle. 

A resident said on Twitter: "All kicking off with forensic teams in Raynes Park and I can't even get out of my road #workingfromhome." 

Police officers from the Trident Gang Crime Command are investigating.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call the Trident Gang Crime Command on 0208 785 8580, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

 

  • Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6321 or email ndewji@london.newsquest.co.uk