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Six workers have been attacked inside a McDonald's after four people stormed inside and squirted chemicals in their faces.

The staff thought they were being hit with water, before they suddenly realised how serious the situation was as their eyes and skin began to burn.

Officers are asking anyone who witnessed the attack or filmed the incident at the fast food restaurant, to get in touch.

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Emergency services were called to the restaurant at the Highbridge Retail Park in Waltham Abbey, Essex, at 5.30pm yesterday, after the chemical was squirted at staff.

Chief Inspector Terry Fisher said: "Luckily no-one was seriously injured, but this type of violent behaviour will not be tolerated in Essex.

"We will be carrying out test to understand exactly what type of liquid was used in this incident and I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident, has video footage or any other information to contact us immediately."

"Officers have launched an investigation following an incident in Waltham Abbey yesterday evening (Tuesday 24 June) where liquid was sprayed at employees in a fast-food restaurant," an Essex Police spokeswoman added.

"We were called to reports of a disturbance where four suspects had gone into McDonald’s on the Highbridge Industrial Estate at just after 5.30pm and squirted a substance at a number of people.

"The victims initially thought the liquid was water, but their eyes and skin started stinging and they immediately called emergency services.”

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Three ambulances, three hazardous area response team vehicles, a paramedic car and a rapid response vehicle were sent to Highbridge Street after reports of restaurant staff being assaulted with a chemical substance.

"Three patients were transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and three to the North Middlesex University Hospital in Edmonton, north London."