M1 Fire Arrests

Officers from Barnet CID, who are investigating a number of suspicious fires across the borough, carried out early morning arrests today across Barnet and Harrow. Two fires in the Moat Mount Open Space, Mill Hill, NW7; one of which occurred between 14 and 15 April and the other between 15 and 16 April, have been linked to the fire that resulted in wide-scale traffic disruption when a blaze broke out at Apex Metal Recycling, Ellesmere Ave, Mill Hill, London on Friday 15 April 2011.

This fire caused the closure of the M1 motorway, which runs on a bridge directly above the scene of the fire, caused serious damage to the recycling yard, the motorway bridge and extensive traffic disruption.

Five people aged between 14 and 17 were arrested this morning and are in custody at a North London Police Station. A number of items were seized during the operation for forensic examination. DCI Roycroft of Barnet CID said, " Although we are pursuing a number of active leads into these fires we would still ask that anyone who has any information about these crimes contact Barnet police. Your information could be invaluable to the investigation and bringing those responsible to justice".

Anyone with information is asked to call Barnet police on 0300 123 1212 or, if you don't want to give your name, call CrimeStoppers on Tel 0800 555 111