A man has been left with serious burns after an unknown substance was thrown at him. 

The victim, a 36-year-old man was walking in an alleyway between Cranley Road and Bayswater in Barton at 8.45pm on Saturday when the felt a burning sensation on his neck and torso. 

The offender fled the scene. 

The victim was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital with serious burns and was later transferred to Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

The burns are not believed to be life-threatening. 

Det Insp Paul Powell, from Oxfordshire Force CID, said: "Detectives are making enquiries to establish the circumstances of this incident in which a man had an unknown substance thrown at him, causing him to sustain serious injuries."

Det Insp Powell said the force is currently working to establish what the substance is and to locate the offender and urged anyone with information to call 101. 

Supt Christian Bunt, LPA Commander for Oxford, said: "This is a highly unusual and isolated incident however we understand the community may be concerned as a result and therefore there will be additional neighbourhood patrols in the area."

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