A RAYLEIGH man’s invention is helping the Metropolitan Police fight a worrying rise in acid attacks.

Tim Jeffrey’s ‘Bottleshower’ is now in over a thousand London emergency response vehicles and aids police in washing acid from victims faces and bodies by creating a dripping effect.

When treating an acid attack victim, it is ideal to use running water to clean the wound, rather than pouring it over the affected area.

Mr Jeffrey initially invented the Bottleshower three years ago and it was being used across the world by refugees and relief workers, but he knew it could be effective in dealing with acid attacks.

He said: “When I saw how the police were having to deal with the horrific effects of acid attacks, I knew the ‘Bottleshower’ invention could have a massive improvement on the effectiveness of how police wash acid from victims faces and bodies.

“After contacting Supt Mike West who heads up the London Metropolitan Police Head of corrosive- based crime, a meeting was set up to investigate the benefits of using the invention.

“Following the presentation I was asked if he could develop a version for the them that would fit the five litre water bottles issued to all response vehicles.

“Successful trials achieved a proper shower wash lasting four and a half minutes compared to a minute when poured in the conventional way from the plastic five litre bottle.”

Since Mr Jeffrey met with the Metropolitan Police, the force has equipped more than a thousand of their London vehicles with the equipment.