Police have released an e-fit of a van driver suspected of attacking a woman and her partially sighted, deaf niece with acid in Thornton Heath.

The 63-year-old and her 13-year-old niece allegedly had acid squirted at them on County Road at around 11.30am on Monday, April 8.

The victims were rushed to a south London hospital, where their injuries were deemed non-life threatening.

An assessment by the London fire brigade concluded the substance sprayed at them was sulphuric acid.

The victims told police they had been driving along County Road in the direction towards Highbury Avenue when a white van started travelling towards them.

Due to the road not being wide enough for two cars to pass, the victim tried to move into a space in front of a parked motorbike.

As she tried to do this, the white van moved forward so that it was parallel to the victim’s car.

At this point, the victim wound down the driver’s side window engage with the van driver, however before she could speak to him, he squirted a liquid from a plastic ‘squeezy’ bottle, hitting herself and her passenger.

The suspect sped off from the scene along County Road before turning right onto Norbury Avenue.

Detectives are now appealing for anyone who may have been in the area at the time to review any CCTV or dashcam footage they may hold that could help with their investigation.

The victims have described the suspect as a white man, around 40 years old of chubby build, with ginger/grey hair and beard, and brown eyes.

At the time of the offence, he was wearing a black jumper.

Detective Constable Ben Briselden, who is investigating the attack, said: “Luckily, neither victim suffered any long-term damage; however they have been left extremely shaken by this ordeal, and we are committed to pursuing every viable lead to bring the perpetrator to justice.

“I am very keen to hear from anyone who might have been in or around the area of the attack at 11:30hrs on Monday, 8 April and could be a potential witness.”

Anyone who has any footage or information that they believe could help with the investigation is asked to call police on 101 and quote CAD 2677/09APR.

Alternatively, please tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.