POLICE have arrested a teenager in connection with a series of deliberate fires in Fishponds, less than a day after CCTV images of a suspect were released.
The 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life earlier today.
Avon & Somerset police said they were holding the suspect in custody after he was arrested in the Fishponds area following “information from the community”.
Fishponds Neighbourhood Inspector Luke Keenan said: “We’re very grateful to everyone who has taken the time to read and share the appeal, and I’d especially like to thank those who have got in touch with information.
“These incidents have not only been very distressing for the families directly involved, but concerning for us and the wider community.
“The investigation continues, and we’d still ask anyone who has relevant footage or information and hasn’t yet come forward to get in touch.”
Police call for more information
Anyone who has information they have not yet shared should call 101 or contact the police online and give the crime reference number 5225 244 743.
Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or online.
Detectives say they have linked several incidents which have happened in and around Fishponds in recent months.
The CCTV was captured on the nights of three incidents: a car fire that spread to a house where three young children were asleep in Oldbury Court Road on August 30, a failed attempt to burn a car on August 27 and a vandal attack on cars in River View on July 6.
Since then more arson attacks have taken place – the most recent one in the early hours of Thursday morning, when a car (pictured above) was destroyed by fire in Oldbury Court Road at around 3.30am.
A day earlier, at about 2am on Wednesday, a car was set on fire in Grove Road.
The fire spread to a second vehicle and damaged the front door of a nearby house.