FOI reveals more than 90 percent of acid attacks going unpunished in West Yorkshire

Sickening acid attackers who maim and disfigure innocent victims are escaping justice in West Yorkshire, with shocking new data revealing that more than 90 percent of perpetrators avoid prison time.

A harrowing investigation, launched through a series of Freedom of Information requests by Legal Expert, shows West Yorkshire Police recorded a staggering 66 devastating acid attacks over the last three years (2023–2025).

Disturbingly, a detailed breakdown of the force’s data reveals that in 92 percent of these cases (61 out of 66), the attackers did not face a custodial sentence.

Further compounding the injustice, in 22 percent of those unpunished cases (14 out of 61), investigations concluded with no suspect ever being identified, leaving victims without any hope for answers.

The high volume of incidents in the region sits in stark contrast to some neighbouring police forces. Just south, Derbyshire Constabulary logged less than a third of the number of acid attacks – 19 incidents across the three-year period.

When approached regarding the alarming figures, West Yorkshire Police said it would not be commenting on the data.

Meanwhile, neighbouring South Yorkshire Police recorded 45 attacks, though they also struggled with identification, failing to find a suspect in nearly a third of their cases (14).

Further south, the figures paint an even more alarming picture, as Kent Police recorded a staggering 86 acid attacks across the three-year period.

Despite the sheer scale of the violence, justice remains elusive for many of the region’s victims; out of the 86 incidents, just three resulted in a custodial sentence, and 23 investigations were closed without a suspect being identified.

Meanwhile, data from Hertfordshire Constabulary highlights a different, but equally troubling, failure in the justice system. While police successfully identified suspects in nearly every case – with only one out of 14 attacks ending with an unidentified suspect – the courts ultimately failed to put the perpetrators behind bars.

According to the force, not a single one of the 14 recorded attacks in Hertfordshire resulted in a custodial sentence.

The statistics paint a devastating picture of the dangers and lack of resolution for victims, with the vast number of unsolved and unpunished cases guaranteeing that a multitude of dangerous assailants are still walking the streets of West Yorkshire.

“These figures highlight a deeply concerning lack of accountability for what is a barbaric and life-altering crime,” said Ellie Lamey, a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) specialist at . “When perpetrators of such horrific attacks go unidentified, victims are robbed of the justice and closure they so rightfully deserve.

“Corrosive substance attacks leave victims with devastating physical and psychological scars that can take a lifetime to heal. It is absolutely vital that survivors understand they are not alone and that they can still seek specialist support and financial compensation to help rebuild their lives, even if their attacker has completely evaded the courts.”

Legal Expert offers expert legal support and advice to those affected by acid attacks. You can book a free consultation or call their 24-hour helpline by visiting their website.