Police rush to arrest two men outside McDonald's after man hospitalised in reported acid attack

Police have rushed to arrest two men outside a McDonald's after a man was hospitalised in a reported acid attack.

Both men were arrested on suspicion of assault after emergency services descended on Warrington Road in Ashton-Under-Lyne at around 4pm on Friday.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman told Manchester Evening News officers responded to reports of a "hazmat incident".

Police confirmed both arrested individuals were in their 40s and 50s. Both remain in custody.

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The man who was rushed to hospital, identified as being in his 30s, is currently being treated for his injuries.

However, GMP confirmed his wounds are neither life-threatening nor life-changing.

After the incident, the area was cordoned off by officials over the course of the afternoon.

A force spokesman added: "Emergency services were called to a business premises on Warrington Road, Ashton-Under-Lyne at around 4pm following reports of a hazmat incident.

"One man aged in his 30s has been taken to hospital where he is currently being treated for his injuries, which are thankfully not deemed life threatening or life changing.

"Two men, aged in their 40s and 50s, have been arrested on suspicion of assault and remain in custody.

"A scene remains in place, and there is not believed to be any risk to the wider public."

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue confirmed they had sent two fire crews to tend to the incident.

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Back in October, during a separate incident, two youngsters were taken to hospital in London after acid was thrown at the pair.

A brawl had broken out along Walthamstow High Street before emergency services descended on the scene.

However, more recently in the area, the BBC revealed how shop staff have become victims of acid attacks, threatened by London thieves across the area.

More than 21,000 notable offences took place in 2023, Havering Borough noted.

Simon Ford, chair of the area's shop association, told the broadcaster: "Before December 2023 we had a massive issue with violence.

"Gangs would come in and threaten staff, saying if they come near, they will have acid thrown in their face, or if staff approached them during the shoplifting they would come back and meet them after work."

Later on, the Metropolitan Police introduced its Clear, Hold, Build (CHB) initiative just a few months later.

The force has also claimed theft has been cut by more than 40 per cent.

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