Gas-spraying attacker leaves 14 Selfridges staff and shoppers needing treatment

Fourteen Selfridges shoppers were treated by medics this afternoon after a man released an ‘unknown substance’ inside a store in London. 

A man in his 20s was detained by security and arrested on suspicion of affray after he sprayed another man with the irritant in the Oxford Street department store.

Metropolitan Police said the substance, which has not been identified, caused similar effects to the riot control agent CS gas.  

Several customers who were inside the store were treated at the scene, but medics are said to be ‘confident it is a non-harmful irritant’. 

A Selfridges spokesperson said ‘a few team members and customers were checked over by the ambulance service for an irritated nose and throat’ following the incident.

All but one customer, who continues to be monitored, were ‘given the all clear’, a statement added.  

The department store confirmed it continues to trade as normal this afternoon despite the disturbance.    

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: ‘Police were called to a shop in Oxford Street, W1, on Thursday, 16 July, at 13.39hrs to reports of a disturbance.

‘Officers attended along with London Ambulance Service (LAS). It was reported that a man, in his 20s, had been detained by security staff after he sprayed another man with an unknown substance, which causes similar effects to CS gas.

‘The man was arrested on suspicion of affray. He has been taken into custody.

‘A group of nine members of the public have been treated at the scene for effects of the spray.

‘Enquiries continue.’