Arrests after liquid thrown and squirted into women's faces in Barton Mills and Newmarket

Four teenagers and a man have been arrested after a liquid was thrown and squirted in the faces of women in Barton Mills and Newmarket.

The incidents were reported on Monday and Tuesday and the liquid was thought to be a fruit concentrate/squash.

On Monday, August 19 between 2.45pm and 3.30pm, three assaults took place in the Tesco Extra supermarket car park, in Fordham Road, Newmarket.

They were followed by another incident a short time later in the car park of Wickes, in Fordham Road, and a further incident at the BP Hyperion Garage, in Bury Road at about 3.40pm.

Police are also investigating a theft of bottles of fruit juice from the BP garage shop immediately prior to the assault.

On Tuesday, August 20 at about 9.30am another similar assault was reported at the McDonald’s restaurant at FiveWays, in Barton Mills near Mildenhall.

It was reported that those responsible were travelling in a white transit van.

A police spokeswoman said: "The victims were shaken as a result of the incidents and some women experienced pain and stinging in their eyes but were otherwise unharmed."

On Tuesday, officers arrested five males - two 18-year-olds and a 17, 19 and 22-year-old - in connection with the incidents.

All were taken to Bury Police Investigation for questioning and bailed to return to police on September 13.

Witnesses or any other victims who have not already spoken to Suffolk Police should contact officers quoting crime reference 37/49926/19 via http://www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/existing-report-update or email Newmarket.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk