SEVERAL reports of assaults with a corrosive substance are being investigated in Lancashire.

Officers say there have been a spate of assaults in Lancaster and Morecambe involving a substance which is suspected to be ammonia.

On Friday, a 23-year-old man was arrested after a stop-search revealed he was carrying a drink bottle filled with a suspected corrosive substance.

He has since been charged with possession of an offensive weapon and possession of cannabis and remanded to appear at court on today, Monday.

A 21-year-old female from Morecambe who was also arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and money laundering has been released under investigation.

PC Georgie Abram, of Lancaster and Morecambe Neighbourhood Task Force, said: “There has recently been several reports in the Lancaster and Morecambe area of assaults involving the spraying of corrosive substances.

“Whilst we would like to reassure the good people of Lancaster and Morecambe that we do not believe there is a threat to the wider public, we would like to send a clear message to those who are carrying and using such weapons that they will be targeted and robustly dealt with.”