Two schoolboys aged 14 and 16 have been charged after an alleged chemical attack at a train station which left two police officers in hospital.

Two individuals were at Surbiton railway station in south west London at around 4.20pm on Friday when they were spotted by British Transport Police ‘acting suspiciously’.

When officers approached, they were ‘exposed to a substance believed to be alkaline’, a spokesperson for BTP said.

The two officers were taken to hospital after suffering injuries which were not believed to be life-threatening. They have since been discharged.

‘Seven other officers, including two officers from the Metropolitan Police were checked at the scene by paramedics,’ the force added.

The incident caused major disruption for passengers travelling through Surbiton station on Friday, with some train services cancelled and others severely delayed.

Two teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to their young ages, were arrested and charged with possession of a corrosive substance in a public place.

They are due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on December 2.