A man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two women were stabbed has been bailed and then sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
The two victims were knifed within half a mile of each other in Oldham in November.
Earlier this month a 23-year-old man was arrested just days after detectives released CCTV footage as part of their investigation.
The suspect was initially held in custody but has now been technically bailed. After a preliminary assessment he has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act to a secure unit.
Both victims suffered serious injuries following the 'violent and motiveless' attacks last month.
The first happened on November 1st.
A 61-year-old woman was attacked on Longfield Crescent at around 6.30pm.
She was taken to hospital and is now at home recovering.
The second incident - which police believe is linked - took place less than three weeks later on November 20th.
A 71-year-old woman was knifed in an alleyway off Stoneleigh Street in Derker , at 6pm.
She too was taken to hospital with serious injuries and has since been discharged.
The suspect was arrested last Thursday.
Det Insp Ben Cottam, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said enquiries into the incidents were very ongoing.
"While we have arrested a man in connection with this incident, our investigation remains ongoing and we’d encourage anyone with information to contact police," he said in a statement.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 9080, quoting incident number 2062 of November 20, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111
