Updated July 14, 2017 22:28:50

Photo: One man was left with facial injuries described by police as "life-changing". (AP: Sarah Cobbold)

British police arrested a teenager on Friday after five acid attacks in less than 90 minutes across east London left several people with facial burns, including one with horrific injuries.

Two assailants on a moped pulled up alongside a 32-year-old man in the Hackney area of east London late on Thursday (local time) and threw acid in his face before one of the pair made off with the victim's moped.

In the next hour and a half, three other men across Hackney and one in the neighbouring borough of Islington had corrosive substances hurled at them, police said.

After one of the robberies in Hackney, a man was left with facial injuries described by police as "life-changing".

"A male in his teens has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and robbery," the London police service said.

"He is currently in custody at an east London police station."

The number of reported attacks with corrosive liquids rose from 261 in 2015 to 454 in 2016, according to police, with some appearing to be related to gang activity or the theft of cars and motorbikes.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said that while still relatively rare, officers were concerned by the increase in attacks.

"I don't want people to think that this is happening all over London all of the time — it's really not, but we are concerned because the numbers appear to be going up," Ms Dick told LBC radio.

"Acid attacks are completely barbaric," she added.

"The acid can cause horrendous injuries. The ones last night involved a series of robberies we believe are linked."

The assaults come after a spate of high-profile attacks, including one in April in which acid was sprayed at a crowded east London club night, leaving two revellers partially blinded and others disfigured.

Two Australians were among 12 injured in that attack, and a man has been charged and is awaiting trial.

The spike in attacks has prompted some lawmakers to call for restrictions on the sale and carrying of corrosive liquids such as sulfuric acid.

AP/Reuters

Topics: crime, police, united-kingdom

First posted July 14, 2017 20:12:26