Police arrest man over crossbow attacks with weapons and 'substance' found

18 March 2024 , 11:58

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Police search Culham House in Rochelle Street, Shoreditch, London (Image: PA)

Police have arrested a man after two people were injured after being shot with a crossbow in random attacks in an area of east London.

Officers arrested a 47-year-old man in Shoreditch at 11pm on Sunday night on suspicion of attempted murder, following two people being injured in two separate crossbow attacks. A woman sustained injuries after being shot in the head with a crossbow bolt on March 4. Ten days later, on March 14, a man, 44, was injured after also being shot in the same way.

The Metropolitan Police say a suspect was searched and a knuckle duster and a bottle containing a substance were found. Following his arrest officers searched the man's address, where they discovered an array of weapons including a crossbow and multiple knives, which have been sent off for forensic analysis. The man remains in custody at an east London police station and both of the victims in the two incidents are being kept informed. The two victims were sent to hospital but their injuries were thought to be non life-threatening.

A 44-year-old woman was hit in the head with a crossbow bolt as she crossed Club Row in Shoreditch, east London (Google)

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, head of policing for Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: "I'm acutely aware of the level of concern in the community following these awful attacks. 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. We have been strongly supported by our partners, particularly the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

“The arrest last night 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.

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Emergency services raced to Arnold Circus, Shoreditch at around 7.30pm on Thursday after reports of an injured man lying in the street (MyLondon/BPM)

"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. We have received significant and crucial support from our local communities to date. Enhanced numbers of my officers will remain in the area and you can speak with them at any time if you believe you have information that is relevant." If you have information regarding either incident please call us on 101 quoting Operation Goldwater. Attentively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The development comes after a resident told how she she helped a terrified woman who had a bolt “sticking out of her head" after the first attack. Subera Rabby, who called an ambulance, said: “The first thing was hearing the screaming, I came out, blood stain on the floor, there was a crossbow [bolt] sticking out of her head,” she told Sky News. “It was really really horrific, I've never seen anything like that. It's so scary, I'm frightened for my kids, for myself. The fact the second incident has now happened, I'm now thinking it could have been any of us.”

Subera Rabby has said how she called an ambulance for her after seeing the crossbow bolt in the woman's head

Mrs Cazley's husband Clifton said: "The doctor told her that if she was a child or an elderly person she wouldn't have survived. I think if she was a second quicker or a second slower it could have hit a different part of her head and she wouldn't be here today." He continued: "She was almost home when she felt something hit the back of her head. When she felt the back of her head there was a spear sticking out. My son heard her screaming and rushed out to help her. She's been left extremely scared."

Scotland Yard said at the time it was linking the two attacks with officers saying they were keeping an open mind regarding the motive.

Joseph Gamp