EXCLUSIVE: Suspected serial car arsonist on the loose in Camberwell

A suspected serial car arsonist is on the loose in Camberwell with at least 10 vehicles believed to have been targeted in the past 18 days.

The Met confirmed five car fires had occurred between December 24 and January 10, though neighbours in the area believe more are connected.

The confirmed car fires took place in Kerfield Crescent, Grove Lane, Daneville Road, Camberwell Grove and Jephson Street during that period.

Four of the suspected arson attacks have taken place in Grove Lane, with the first one on Christmas Eve.

A resident in Grove Lane whose neighbour’s car was burned in the early hours of Sunday morning said they were “still in shock” and “scared”.

The neighbour, who did not want to be named over fears for their safety, said the blaze was so strong that it melted the number plates of nearby cars.

“It was at around 3am and I woke up and saw smoke and the fire brigade outside,” they said. “In minutes the car was ablaze. It was terrible. Luckily it rained or it could have escalated. There was petrol everywhere.

“My neighbour was distraught, she is a young lady with a child. It was such a shock. This person is very dangerous, what will they do next? They have to be stopped.”

The neighbour said the police reviewed footage from the nearby pub, The Crooked Well, but were unable to identify the assailant as they were wearing a hood. The Met said it would not confirm this.

The South London Press contacted The Crooked Well but the pub did not respond.

The London Fire Brigade confirmed it had been called out to car fires in Kerfield Crescent, Grove Lane, Camberwell Grove and Jephson Street in the 18-day period.

A spokeswoman for The Met said: “We are aware of several recent car fires in the Camberwell area.

“The five incidents date between Saturday, December 24, 2022 and Tuesday, January 10.

“Detectives from the Central South area’s CID will be continuing to conduct local enquiries to progress the investigation.

“Enquiries continue to establish if the fires are linked.

“Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 2490/10JAN.

“Alternatively, information can be reported 100 per cent anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.”

Pictured top: The burnt out car in Grove Lane on December 8 (Picture: Handout)