An Ilford resident is urging people to be vigilant after he claims a group of boys armed with bottles of liquid – which he fears was acid – rang the door bell while his wife was at home alone with a baby.

Faisal Khwaja, 42, said his wife was changing their son’s nappy on Thursday, August 3 and opened the door without checking their identity.

“There were four white guys at the door and they just said how are you,” he told the Recorder.

“She looked down and saw they were holding water bottles filled with liquid.

“She immediately tried to close the door, but they pushed and tried to stop her – I don’t know how but somehow she managed to shut it.”

She immediately called her husband and the police.

“I am proud of my wife and how she handled the situation but the incident caused a lot of worry and concern for our family,” he said.

“I have to go to work and I can’t be with her at home. It is very scary.

“I want to raise awareness to other residents so they just don’t open the door without checking. There are so many acid attacks in east London and everyone needs to be on their guard.”

Police confirmed that they were called to an address in Ilford on Thursday, August 3, at 8.38pm.

Det Ch Insp Mike West, of the Met’s Trident and Area Crime Command, said understands residents’ concerns about acid attacks.

“These incidents have increased since last year, which is of course a matter of concern to the MPS and we remain committed to bringing those offenders responsible to justice, but it is important to remember that thankfully these offences do remain rare,” he told the Recorder.

“Safer schools officers are deployed across London in 550 schools and develop strategies with schools and partner agencies to increase personal safety of young people. If any young person has specific concerns they should approach a police officer, teacher or trusted adult.

“We would appeal to all parents, teachers and other agencies who work with young people to challenge those they think may be carrying corrosive substances, and work to divert them from committing a serious offence or being injured themselves.”

If someone is in fear of being attacked with acid, or knows someone who is going to use it, they should report it to police on 101 or confidentially through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.