POLICE have warned that a highly corrosive substance, stolen from a garage in Hoo, near Rochester, could cause serious injury.

The warning was issued after the theft of an industrial kitchen cleaner from the garage. The liquid is coloured brown and is in a two-litre bottle. The bottle was half full. The substance called SUMA GRILL D9 could cause severe burns to the skin and if swallowed could cause irritation and damage to the oesophagus and stomach.

A spokesman for Medway police said: "The liquid is extremely corrosive and anyone seeing the bottle should not touch it and report it to the police immediately."

The liquid carries the following toxicological information. Eyes: Corrosive - causes severe burns. Skin: Corrosive - causes severe burns; Inhalation: Corrosive - inhalation of use solutions in spray mist form will cause immediate irritation of the respiratory tract. Ingestion: Corrosive - strong caustic effect on mouth and throat and danger of perforation to oesophagus and stomach.

PC Roy Walkling said: "This liquid is extremely dangerous and will cause severe burns to the skin. We would like to recover the liquid as a matter or urgency and would urge anyone who may have any information to contact Medway police immediately on 01634 884252, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

All calls to Crimestoppers are free and will be treated in the strictest confidence.