Police are appealing for witnesses after a series of arson attacks in Oxford.

At about 6.30pm yesterday, the fire service contacted police and reported that a bin had been set alight in the alleyway next to The Four Candles Pub, George Street.

Between 8.30pm and 9pm, a motorcycle cover was set alight in Sidney Street.

At around 8.50pm, two cars were damaged in Fairacres Road; a flare was thrown at a windscreen of a black Mini Cooper and a Citroen Saxo was set alight, causing damage to the bonnet, wipers, rubber seal and windscreen.

Shortly before 11pm, a fire was started in the doorway of C Warmington and Sons in Wilkins Road, after a plastic bottle containing accelerants was put through the letterbox to the address.

At the same time offenders attempted to do the same to the adjoining property, Amy Surman Jewellers, but failed.

At around 11.45pm a bin was set alight in the recreation ground in Horspath Road.

Det Con Louise Tompkins aid: “At this stage it is still unclear if all of these incident are linked but we are keeping an open mind and encourage anyone with information to contact police immediately.

“It is very unusual to experience this many arsons taking place in one evening, so I would urge anyone who was in any of these areas yesterday evening and either saw a group of people or anybody acting suspiciously to get in touch.”

Anyone with information that could assist police enquiries is urged to contact Det Con Tompkins via Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police and don’t want to leave your name contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.