A YOUNG man with stubble could have key information for police as they investigate a series of arson attacks in East Oxford.

Fires had to be extinguished in a number of streets off the Cowley and Iffley Roads yesterday morning after a motorbike and several bins were set alight.

No one was injured in any of the incidents, but Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Det Con Charlotte Dunford said: “I would like to appeal to anyone who has any information about these incidents to come forward and speak to police.

“I am particularly interested to hear from a man who was in the area of Hurst Street at around 3.30am. This man is not a suspect and informed the fire brigade about the incident.

"I would like this man to come forward as a witness and speak to police. He is a white man around 25 years old with short brown hair and stubble.”

“If you have any information about the incidents which can assist the investigation please contact the 24-hour police enquiry centre on 101.”

An engineer technician who lives in Charles Street, spoke to the Oxford Mail yesterday about the moment he woke up to find his motorbike on fire.

Tim Kruttschnitt said he woke at 3am today to find his Honda Hornet motorcycle ablaze.

The 30 year old said his £2,600 bike was completely destroyed by the fire and that he had contacted police to investigate possible arson.

Thames Valley Police said there were more arson attacks in the area on the same day.

Officers said at about 2.50am yesterday, a wheelie bin in Cowley Road was set alight and at 3.30am they were called out to the motorcycle blaze in Charles Street.

Police added at 3.25am a bin was found smouldering in Leopold Street and at 3.25am, in Demsene Furze, another bin was set alight.

A skip in Hurst Street was set on fire along with some small recycling bins on the Old Road junction with Valenia Road.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called out and were able to put the flames out.