A WOMAN who was horrifically injured when acid was thrown in her face in Southampton was deliberately targeted by her attacker, police say.

As reported by the Daily Echo yesterday, the woman was attacked when walking through Guildhall Square in the city centre, near to the Turtle Bay restaurant.

The liquid was thrown in the woman’s face at 9pm on Friday night while she was on an evening out.

She was walking past the restaurant at the time and but had not visited the establishment that evening. 

Now police say her attacker had specifically targeted her. 

It comes as detectives step up their investigations to hunt for the attackers.

A statement released today said: “Police are now treating this rare and isolated incident as a targeted assault against the woman.

“The woman, who was taken to Southampton General Hospital with significant burns to her face, neck and arms, remains in hospital.  

“Police are grateful to the public for the information provided about this incident. A dedicated team of detectives continue to follow up all lines of enquiries.

Staff rushed to give her first aid but fear the extent of her injuries may have caused her to lose her sight.

She suffered severe burns to her face, neck and arms and was taken to hospital by ambulance where she remains today.

Firefighters were called to wash away a container with a quarter of a pint of acid in, which remained after the attack.

Police and firefighters were called to the scene and set up a cordon outside the restaurant while they investigated.

Staff at Turtle Bay today told how the woman, described as a brunette wearing a top and leggings and who was accompanied by a man, rushed towards restaurant crying out for help.

Police and firefighters were called to the scene and set up a cordon outside the restaurant until 1.30am while they investigated.

A statement released on behalf of Turtle Bay said: “There was an incident involving an attack on a female in the central public area of Guildhall Square.

"The lady was not a customer of the nearby Turtle Bay. However, the manager on duty provided immediate assistance and emergency first aid while the emergency services were called.

"When they arrived they immediately took her to hospital to continue her treatment. We hope that she makes a full and speedy recovery from the incident.”

• Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting 44150324698.