Man Bites Woman's Lip Saying He Is 'The Devil,' Leaves Her With Life-changing Injuries

A woman has been left with life-changing injuries after a man bit off part of her top lip in a "horrific" attack at a popular U.K. street festival, police say.

The incident took place on August 25 at approximately 6 p.m. during the two-day Notting Hill Carnival in London. The victim was rushed to a first aid post, then hospital, after approaching officers while "bleeding heavily and in shock," the Metropolitan Police said.

Authorities said a man she didn't know walked up to her and said "I'm the devil" before biting her on the face. In an appeal for information, the suspect was described as a black male with short black hair and muscular build, believed to have been wearing a black T-shirt.

Officials said the woman was admitted to a hospital in West London, where she underwent surgery for injuries to her lip. It is expected further surgery will be needed, police said.

"This was a horrific incident on a woman who has suffered life-changing injuries requiring extensive surgery," detective chief inspector Driss Hayoukane, of the Notting Hill Carnival post investigation unit, said in a statement alongside an image of the unnamed victim's wound.

"The man who did this is clearly a violent and dangerous individual and I am determined that we identify and apprehend him as soon as possible," Hayoukane added.

This year, the annual Notting Hill Carnival ran between August 25 and August 26. It is a vast street festival featuring music, food and parades in celebration of the Caribbean community and diverse culture. According to its website, it is second only to Brazil's Rio Carnival in terms of size. But with millions of people flocking toward the city, police are kept busy.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that there were more than 350 arrests across both carnival days this year, including for offensive weapons, criminal damage and assault. But statistics were clear that the majority of officers' arrests were the result of alleged drug possession. In total, a police spokesperson said 30 officers suffered "minor injuries" during the event.

"I am, once again, extremely disappointed that a number of people feel that they can assault my officers who are working in very difficult circumstances to try and protect everyone in attendance," said Met commander Dave Musker, the lead officer responsible for 2019's carnival.

"Officers put themselves on the frontline and should, under no circumstance be assaulted for protecting the public. We will adopt a zero tolerance approach to assault on police officers."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 using the reference 5483/29Aug19.