Police hunt this man after new east London crossbow incident eight months after Shoreditch attacks

Police hunting a lunatic who fired crossbow bolts at two people have released an image of a man they wish to trace after an incident that they have not ruled out being connected.

A woman miraculously survived after she was hit in the head with a bolt in the Shoreditch area of London on March 4.

It happened at about 7:45pm by Clifton House where the victim, a 44-year-old woman, was hit in the head as she crossed the road.

Ten days later on nearby Arnold Circus, there was a second incident just before 7:30pm, involving a 20-year-old man who was left with a neck injury after he was struck with a bolt.

Both victims were released from hospital with non-life threatening injures.

A man, 46, was arrested after the second attack but later released under investigation.

Now, police want to speak to this man in connection with an incident on October 21, which they have not ruled out being linked to the earlier attacks.

Between 12pm and 12:30pm on Monday, October 21, a man was walking down Alfred Street, Tower Hamlets, when he was approached by a member of the public.

The suspect started being verbally aggressive before threatening him with a crossbow and leaving the scene.

Detective Inspector Nikki Hardy, from Central East BCU, said: “Thankfully the victim in this case suffered no injuries but was understandably shaken by what happened.

“We are now releasing an image (above) of a man we wish to speak to in connection with this incident. We would urge everyone to look at the photo and think about whether they recognise him or know where he may be.

“Anyone with information should contact us on 101 with reference 245/31OCT number.”

Information can also be provided completely anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A Met Police spokesperson added: "As part of their investigation, detectives are looking at whether there may be any connection between this and two attacks in Shoreditch in March this year and are keeping an open mind."

There have been recent calls for new strict controls on the purchase of crossbows, similar to the licensing scheme used in the UK for firearms.

It comes after the tragic deaths of three women from the same family, who were murdered by a man armed with a crossbow and knives in their own home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on July 9 this year.

Carole Hunt, 61, wife of TV racing presenter John Hunt, and two of their daughters, Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28, were killed in the devastating attack.

Kyle Clifford, 26, has been charged with their murders and is in custody awaiting trial. He is expected to enter a plea later this month. But three months on there has been silence on regulating crossbow sales from Home Secretary Yvette Cooper regarding new legislation after she pledged a review.

And the Government has also yet to publish the outcome of a study on whether ownership laws needed tightening carried out by the Tories before the General Election.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The responses to the call for evidence on strengthening controls has been reviewed and ministers are considering if further controls and measures are required. We will be introducing a Crime and Policing Bill, and this will include new measures on knives and other weapons.”