DETECTIVES hunting for attackers who threw acid in a woman’s face in Southampton have moved to reassure revellers they are doing all they can to catch them.

The 37-year-old woman was attacked while walking in Guildhall Square close to Turtle Bay restaurant.

She suffered significant burns to her face, neck and arms, including severe injuries to her eyes and was taken to Southampton General Hospital.

Now police have moved to reassure thousands of students at the city’s two universities that there is no increased risk poses to those entering the city centre at night.

It comes as thousands of students prepare for Freshers’ Week celebrations taking place this week.

Sector Inspector for Southampton City Centre, Pete Jones, said: “In the next few days students will be returning to the city, and some will be coming to Southampton for the first time.  I would like to reassure them, as well as those who live and work in the city centre, that we are thoroughly investigating this incident.

“We do not believe there is any increased risk to those who work in, live in, or want to come to enjoy the city centre.

“A dedicated team of officers are continuing to follow a number of lines of enquiry and would like to thank the community for coming forward with information. 

“If you think you have information that could assist our investigation, please get in touch with us and tell us what you know.”

It comes as restaurant staff have told of their desperate attempts to save a woman’s sight after someone threw acid in her face on a night out in Southampton.

The 37-year-old victim was set upon in a horrific attack while she was walking through Guildhall Square in the city centre.

She suffered severe burns to her face, neck and arms and was taken to Southampton General Hospital by ambulance.

Today detectives are stepping up their hunt to find her attackers who they say deliberately targeted her in what they are calling a “rare and isolated” incident.

Last night officers were not releasing descriptions of two people they wanted to trace in connection with the attack.

But they denied it was linked to an honour-killing style attack which have occasionally been launched in Asian communities – saying the victim is white and there is no “ethnic” or “cultural” link.

They were also unable to disclose the extent of the victims injuries – but it is thought the corrosive liquid has blinded her.

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

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

But workers at Turtle Bay today told how the woman, described as a brunette, rushed towards the restaurant crying out for help.

Assistant general manager Adrian Rodgers told the Echo she approached him while he was outside the entrance and said: “She ran over to door staff screaming for help. She was with a man who kept on asking her if she was all right.

“Her face was blistering and looked like the sort of thing you see with soldiers in war. It was so bad you couldn’t tell what she looked like or how old she was.

“I am first aid trained so I took a jug of ice water and was rinsing her face and mouth with iced water as we sat her down on the floor outside.

“The ambulance and police then arrived really quickly.

“Fingers crossed she is all right – you hear about these things but you don’t expect to see it.”

He claimed someone told him the acid has a reading of one on the pH scale – meaning it has the highest concentration.

A bar worker said: "The acid was in her whole face and eyes - she's probably going to be blinded.

"Neither her nor her attacker were actually guests here. We were just helping out and providing first aid treatment. She said it was two men.

"Her face looked like it was melting; it was quite clear there was a lot of damage."

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

Crews from St Mary’s fire station arrived to wash away a quarter of a pint of acid from the pavement.

The cordon was eventually lifted at around 1.30am on Saturday after detectives had conducted inquiries in bars and restaurants nearby.

A statement released last night 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 inquiries."

A host of people took to social media to express their concerns and wish the victim well.

Megan Norris wrote: "Feel so bad for the girl who had acid thrown on her face in Southampton last night. Hope she is ok.

"It was right by Turtle Bay. People must have seen it happen, it's just so awful. There are some real creeps out there."

Ed Hooley tweeted: "A woman has been attacked with acid outside Turtle Bay; her face took serious burns."

Emily Frankham added: "Girl was a victim to an acid attack outside Turtle Bay in Southampton and her face has melted, pray for her recovery, far too close to home."

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.