Boy, 16, charged with attempted murder

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder after a suspected arson attack on a restaurant.

Officers were called to the property on Woodford Avenue, Gants Hill on Friday, 22 August at around 21:00hrs.

Six victims – three women and three men – were injured in the incident. Two of them – a man and a woman - remain in hospital with life-changing injuries.

A 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life on Sunday, 24 August. He was later released on bail.

Two 16-year-old boys were arrested on Friday, 5 September on suspicion of arson with intent to danger life. They were later released on bail.

A further 16-year-old boy was arrested on Saturday, 6 September. The following day he was charged with six counts of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

He appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court on Monday, 8 September, and was remanded to a youth detention centre. He will appear at the Old Bailey on Monday, 6 October.