A 47 year-old man who was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of attempted murder in Shoreditch following two crossbow attacks has been released under investigation, the Metropolitan Police said today

The first attack happened on 4 March at 19:44hrs near Clifton House where a woman was “hit in the head as she crossed the road”, the Met Police have revealed.  

The second attack happened on Thursday March 14 at 19:27hrs where a 20 year-old man was shot in the neck near Arnold Circus, within 100 feet of the first attack. 

Met Police said investigators were urgently working to identity a suspect following the separate incidents which were said to be “linked” because of “the nature and location of both incidents”.  The man was arrested on Sunday and released today. No further details have been made public.

They added that in both cases, injuries were not life threatening and both people have been discharged from hospital. 

“Officers are also working with Tower Hamlets Council in a joint effort to use as many resources as possible to help the investigation” and “residents will see more officers in the area over the weekend” to “help people feel as safe as possible”. 

Detective Chief Superintendent, James Conway, is responsible for policing Tower Hamlets and Hackney said: “Since the first incident the police response has been immediate and dynamic, with my detectives leading a significant investigation involving CCTV trawls, intelligence and forensic work, whilst my neighbourhood teams have been engaged in public appeals and reassurance patrols.” 

He added: ““The arrest last [Sunday] was a significant development in our investigation, but this remains a complex and ongoing policing operation. I can also confirm that our enquiries led to the seizure of another crossbow weapon in the period between the two attacks, which is now being dealt with as part of a separate investigation.” 

“I’d like to thank local people for their valuable support and would urge anyone still yet to talk to police to do so as soon as possible”. 

You can contact the police on 101 or to remain anonymous contact Crimstoppers on 0800 555 111.