Met Police using 'Bottleshower' device developed for war zones to treat acid attack victims

The number of acid attacks has soared in London in recent years
Twitter/@sarah_cobbold
Robin de Peyer1 February 2018
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London’s police officers are using a device designed for war zones and disaster areas to treat the victims of acid attacks.

Scotland Yard confirmed it had started using a specialist bottle top which regulates the flow of water to treat injuries caused by corrosive substances.

The ‘Bottleshower’ – an attachment which can be fastened to the top of water bottles – was developed in order to help slow down the flow of water in areas where there are shortages.

Since it was developed by designer Tim Jeffrey in 2015, it has been used in war zones and in refugee camps in Jordan.

Flow regulator: the 'Bottleshower' device is being used by police

Using the top – which costs £4.99 – is said to allow a one litre bottle of water to flow constantly for two minutes, which is about 10 times as long as it would otherwise last if poured normally.

The designers said they developed a “shower head” device for bottles after a request from the Metropolitan Police.

The five litre bottles carried in London’s police vehicles last four-and-a-half minutes when being poured, as opposed to around 20 seconds if the water is poured directly from the bottle.

Scotland Yard confirmed all emergency police vehicles in London have been fitted with the device, adding that officers were receiving extra training in treating acid attack victims.

The device is aimed at regulating the flow of water

A spokesman added: "When a person receives injuries from corrosive substances it is imperative that the injuries are treated as soon as possible by pouring water over the injuries.

"The best way to administer water to the injury is by a long continuous flow rather than simply pouring water over a victim."

It comes after Met Police figures said that the number of violent acid attacks in London has soared by 78 per cent in the past two years.

There were 465 violent “corrosive liquid” offences recorded in the capital in 2017, up from 260 in 2015.

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