Canning Town man wanted after ‘horrendous’ Beckton acid attack

Resham Khan and her cousin Jameel Muhktar just before the attack. PICTURE: GoFundMe (Image: Archant)

Police are warning the public not to approach John Tomlin if they see him, but instead call 999 immediately.

The incident took place when Resham came to London to celebrate her birthday with Jameel Muhktar, a family member she hadn’t seen for two years as she had been away studying for her business degree in Cyprus.

The pair were at traffic lights at Tollgate Road in Beckton at 9,15am on Wednesday June 21 when a man threw a corrosive substance through their open car windows.

Jameel tried to give chase to their attacker, but crashed the car as the acid began to burn him.

Resham has suffered burns on her face and body whilst her cousin's condition is even worse. PICTURE: Resham Khan/GoFundMe (Image: Archant)

He had to be put into a medically-induced coma and both his and Resham’s injuries are described as “life-changing”.

Now officers would like to speak to John Tomlin as soon as possible, and say members of the public should not go near him.

Instead, if you see the fair-haired 24-year-old, you should dial 999 immediately.

Tomlin is 6ft tall with distinctive facial tattoos and is known to frequent Canning Town.

Detective Superintendent Neil Matthews said police were working “as quickly as humanly possible” to find the person responsible for “this horrendous act of violence”.

Anyone with detail of John Tomlin’s whereabouts is asked to call the police non-emergency line on 101, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by tweeting @MetCC.

Local police and the Met’s Territorial Support Group raided an address in E16 on the afternoon of the attack but made no arrests. Whilst enquiries continue, there is no current information to suggest that this attack was racially or religiously motivated.