Six in hospital after McDonald's 'chemical assault'

An investigation has been launched after a chemical substance was sprayed at staff in a fast-food restaurant.

Ambulances and police were called to the McDonald's on Highbridge Retail Park in Waltham Abbey, Essex at about 17:30 BST on Tuesday.

Six people were taken to hospital but Essex Police said that "no-one was seriously injured".

Ch Insp Terry Fisher said: "We are exploring all options, including whether this was an attempted robbery."

Police said four suspects, who they describe as white males, entered the restaurant just after 17.30 and squirted a substance at a number of people before they fled the scene.

The victims thought the liquid was water, but their eyes and skin started stinging and they called emergency services.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said "three ambulances, three hazardous area response team vehicles, a paramedic car and a rapid response vehicle were sent to Highbridge Street after reports of restaurant staff being assaulted with a chemical substance".

He added that the three patients were taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and three to the North Middlesex University Hospital in Edmonton, north London.

Ch Insp Fisher said: "We want to reassure you that we are carrying out a thorough investigation so we can establish what happened and the circumstances which led up to it.

"Luckily no-one was seriously injured, but this type of violent behaviour will not be tolerated in Essex."

A McDonald's spokesperson said: "We are supporting our restaurant team impacted by this incident and are assisting the police with their ongoing enquiries."

Essex Police has urged anyone with more information to come forward.

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