Staff at a McDonald's restaurant were sprayed with a chemical substance in a horror attack in Essex.
Emergency services were called to the restaurant on Highbridge Retail Park in Waltham Abbey at about 5.30pm on Tuesday.
Chief Inspector from Essex Police Terry Fisher said: "We are exploring all options, including whether this was an attempted robbery."
Officers confirmed six people were taken to hospital but "no-one was seriously injured".
The McDonald's on Highbridge Retail Park in Waltham Abbey, Essex
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Police said four suspects entered the restaurant just after 5.30pm and squirted a substance at a number of people before they fled the scene.
The victims had initially thought the liquid was water, but when their eyes and skin started to sting, the emergency services were alerted.
Essex Police described the four suspects as white males and added they are carrying out a thorough investigation.
Detectives and local officers are carrying out extensive enquiries surrounding this incident and identify those responsible.
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Essex Police are investigating the attack
PAEpping Forest and Brentwood District Commander, Chief Inspector Terry Fisher, said: "We know this incident will have been very concerning to customers and staff last night.
"We want to reassure you that we are carrying out a thorough investigation so we can establish what happened and the circumstances which led up to it.
"We are exploring all options, including whether this was an attempted robbery.
"Luckily, no-one was seriously injured, but this type of violent behaviour will not be tolerated in Essex."
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 Waltham Abbey after reports of restaurant staff being assaulted with a chemical substance.
"Six patients were conveyed to hospital: three to the Princess Alexandra Hospital and three to North Middlesex Hospital."
A McDonald's spokesman said: "We are supporting our restaurant team impacted by this incident and are assisting the police with their ongoing enquiries."
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