The number of attacks involving acid and other harmful liquids has risen in Kent over the past four years.

Figures from Kent Police reveal 17 such assaults were recorded in 2014, up from 12 the previous year and five in 2012.

Between January and November last year, 11 incidents had been recorded.

A total of 32 of the victims were men, and 13 were women.

Substances used in the attacks included paint stripper, caustic soda, pepper spray, CS spray, ammonia and bleach.

Last year, a teenager suffered a facial injury when a stranger threw liquid in her face in a suspected acid attack in a Gillingham street.

Mia Taylor, 19, had to be treated at a specialist burns unit for her injuries.

And in 2014, a former accountant was jailed for two years for attacking a woman with a bleach-soaked cloth.

The victim suffered burns to her face at the hands of Marc Brazier, 40, of The Esplanade, Sandgate.

The previous year, Dean Mayze was locked up for two years and eight months for spraying ammonia into good Samaritan Garandeep Mann's face, burning his cornea.

Jaf Shah from Acid Survivors Trust International said: "At least 30% of victims suffer some form of blindness but also hearing impairment.

"Then on top of that, they can have very severe trauma as a consequence of an acid attack.

"Many survivors find it very hard to adjust to a working environment because of their appearance and physical disabilities."

The figures were revealed as part of a freedom of information request by the Press Association to police forces across the UK.