Shoreditch crossbow attacks: Arrested man released

The Met Police said the crossbow attacks happened about 200ft (60m) from each other

A man arrested on suspicion of attempting to murder two people who police say were shot with crossbow bolts in east London has been released.

The 46-year-old was linked to an incident where a woman was hit on the head with a bolt on 4 March, the Met Police said.

He was arrested after a man was struck on the neck with a bolt on 14 March.

Both victims have been released from hospital with non-life threatening injures, police said.

The arrested man has been released under investigation.

The first assault happened at about 19:45 by Clifton House where the victim, a 44-year-old woman, was hit in the head as she crossed the road, police said.

Ten days later on Arnold Circus, there was a second incident just before 19:30, involving a 20-year-old man who was left with a neck injury.

Det Ch Supt James Conway said the ongoing police operation was "complex".

"I'm acutely aware of the level of concern in the community following these awful attacks," he added.

"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."

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