Acid Attacks
Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FOI/25/008897/W
Version Date: 22/10/2025
The Performance & Analysis Department has provided the following information:
Please note: Data prior to 1st April 2019 is unavailable.
I would like to know the total number of acid attacks/ corrosive substance offences from 2019 - 2024 inclusively in the Devon & Cornwall police area.
| Year | Count |
| 2019 (from 01/04/2019) | 13 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 33 |
| Total | 109 |
I would also like to know the outcome (total number for each year) for example; did not progress with case due to lack of evidence/ victim did not want to progress etc.
| Crime Outcome | 2019* | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| 1: Charged | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1: Summonsed/postal requisition | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15: CPS - named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16: Victim declines/withdraws support - named suspect identified | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18: Investigation complete no suspect identified | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2: Youth caution | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22: Diversionary, educational or intervention activity, has been undertaken and there is no public interest to continue | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Action Against Suspect Not in Public Interest | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Action taken by another body/agency | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Adult Caution | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Charged/Summonsed | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Community Resolution | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Evidential Difficulties - Victim Declines | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Investigation Complete: No Suspect - Case Closed | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Investigation Ongoing | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Offender Died | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Pending CSU Outcome | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspect Identified - Evidential Difficulties | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
| Victim no Support | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| Youth Caution | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Grand Total | 13 | 7 | 16 | 24 | 16 | 33 |
| *2019 data from 1st April | ||||||