Four bus fires have been started since the New Year (credit: Google Maps)
All four incidents have happened since New Year – including two in Walthamstow which are believed to be linked.
The first blaze was started on Monday, 2 January, just before 6pm on a route 215 bus. The second fire happened at around 7.45pm on Tuesday, 3 January on a route 97 bus.
Met Police say the two incidents are being linked due to similarities in the offences including the areas set alight and the time/location.
On Wednesday, 4 January, a seat was set on fire on the bus route 179 in Woodford at around 10.40pm.
The fourth incident happened shortly after midnight on Friday, 6 January when a fire was believed to have been started near to the door areas of a route 165 bus in Rainham.
Those two incidents are believed to be unrelated.
No one was injured on any occasion.
Detective Sergeant, Cassandra Osborne from the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command said: “We are appealing to the public for any information to help us apprehend whoever is responsible for these fires.
“These are extremely reckless actions which are putting the lives of innocent people at risk. All these buses were in service at the time of the fires and it is only by sheer luck that no one has been hurt.
“If you can help, please get in contact as soon as possible.”
TfL’s Head of Buses Business Development, Tom Cunnington said: “Thankfully no one was hurt during these incidents. We are supporting the police with their investigations into this highly dangerous behaviour. It is reckless and irresponsible, putting lives at risk.
“We urge anyone with information to come forward and help bring those responsible to justice.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 3625/8Jan.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity and provide information anonymously on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org
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