Arsonists who have started a series of fires on buses are being hunted by police. An investigation is under way into four incidents that have happened on London buses since the start of 2023.
The Metropolitan Police's Transport Policing Command has described the fires as "extremely reckless actions which are putting the lives of innocent people at risk". The force is appealing for information alongside Transport for London in a bid to catch the culprits.
Two of the incidents happened in Walthamstow just one day apart from another and have been linked, MyLondon reports. A further two fires which broke out on buses happened in East London but are not being linked to each other or the Walthamstow incidents.
The two fires in Walthamstow took place on January 2 – the first at 5.55pm on a route 215 bus, and the second at 7.45pm on January 3 on a route 97 bus. As the incidents share several similarities they have been linked by the Met.
Meanwhile at around 10.40pm on January 4 a seat was set on fire on a route 179 bus in Woodford. The fourth incident happened shortly after midnight on January 6 when a fire was believed to have been started near to the door areas of a route 165 bus in Rainham.
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.”
Tom Cunnington, TfL’s Head of Buses Business Development, 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, people can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org.
