IT has been described as the new weapon of choice for gang members and a spate of acid attacks have prompted politicians to press for review of the laws on corrosive substances at Holyrood.
Concerns have grown over the increased profile of the use of acid in assaults and Conservative MSP Rachael Hamilton this week called on Holyrood to start compiling details of acid attacks after a wave of assaults across the UK, in some cases allegedly involving an attacker on a motorcycle or motor scooter.
The MSP made the call after it emerged specific statistics on assaults using acid are not held in Scotland.
South of the Border, a review of the laws connected to corrosive substances is also planned, with assaults involving corrosive substances reported to have more than doubled in England since 2012 to 504 in 2016-17.
Ms Hamilton said detailed statistics on such assaults should be recorded as two people were jailed for acid attacks in Scotland in recent weeks.
She also called for better support mechanisms to be put in place for victims and urged a rethink over how harmful substances are sold.
Michael Matheson, Justice Secretary, said the Scottish Government was committed to doing what it can to ensure communities are safe from harm, including taking steps on the availability of acid and similar chemicals.
Schoolgirl Emily Bowen, 18, who left a fellow student with horrific injuries after a sulphuric acid attack was been ordered to be detained for 21 months.
She poured drain cleaner into a viola case owned by Molly Young at a music room at Knox Academy, in Haddington, East Lothian.
Bowe previously admitted to recklessly and culpably pouring sulphuric acid into a viola case causing injury and permanent disfigurement in September last year.
In another case, William Burns, 56, threw sulphuric acid on the face of Sun newspaper crime reporter Russell Findlay while disguised as a postman and arriving at his home.
He was given a 15-year extended sentence.
Police in London have said gang members are allegedly starting to "move across" to using acid in attacks while it is also proposed corrosive substances should be classified as dangerous weapons.
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