Police are appealing for witnesses to a shocking "noxious substance" attack in Dartford which has left a man with serious facial injuries.

Officers were called to Keyes Road at approximately 3.40pm on Sunday (February 3) following reports two men had thrown a corrosive substance towards two other men sitting in a car outside a Tesco Express.

According to police, a 23-year-old man along with his 16-year-old relative had been in the shop to withdraw cash from the in-store ATM.

After driving out of the store's car park, he stopped his Ford Fiesta in Keyes Road for around 30 minutes before two men on a moped approached, opened the driver’s door and sprayed him and his passenger with a substance.

As the victim drove away from the scene, a third man in his 30s, got out of a Jaguar after stopping in the road. The two moped thugs then sprayed the noxious substance in his direction with some of it landing on him.

The two victims in the Fiesta managed to travel to a nearby address and the emergency services were called.

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Both the 16-year-old and the third victim were discharged on the same day but the driver of the Ford Fiesta remains in hospital for further treatment.

The "noxious substance" used in the assault has been tested with results pending.

The suspects are described as being two young men who were wearing dark clothing, motorcycle helmets with tinted visors and leather gloves. They were using a black moped that was not displaying a number plate.

Kirsty Baldock, 33, who lives close to the scene, saw the police arrive after the attack.

She said: "I saw all the police tape everywhere and had the police knocking on the door to see we'd seen anything, but I didn't.

"It's very scary and I have anxiety anyway, now it's gone into overdrive.

"It's been getting worse around here for a while and it's not the first time we've had police knocking on the door after 'an incident' right outside my house."

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Detective Inspector Chris Dovey, who is overseeing the investigation, said: "We would like to ask motorists who were in the area at around the time of the incident to view their dashcam footage to see if they have captured two men riding a black moped without a number plate.

"Any footage they may have, regardless of the quality, could be important to the investigation."

MP for Dartford Gareth Johnson has slammed the "evil" and "cowardly" assailants who carried out Sunday night's heinous attack, saying: "Assaults with noxious liquids are evil and anybody found to have carried out one can expect a lengthy sentence.

"Fortunately, this sort of incident is very rare in Dartford which makes it all the more shocking.

"I have spoken with Kent Police about this awful incident on Sunday and they are determined to fully investigate the circumstances behind this attack.

"In addition, there will be uniformed patrols across Temple Hill to help reassure local residents."

He has also brought up the incident in Parliament, asking the justice secretary about the sentencing for those committing noxious substance attacks.

Kent Police have said that enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call 01474 366149. quoting reference 03-1016.