A halls of residence caught fire after a suspected arson.

On August 9 London Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police were called to the Middlesex University halls of residence, Ivy Hall, in Cricklewood Lane at 6.30am to a fire.

There were no injuries but CCTV images were released by the police of a man they would like to speak to in connection to what they suspect may have been an arson.

Two CCTV image shows the man on the lane, one minutes before the fire started, and another showing the same man watching the fire burn.

The fire was started when a dark-coloured coat was set alight at the base of an air vent.

A spokesperson at Middlesex University London said: "We take the safety of our students seriously, and thankfully no-one was injured when the incident took place in August.

"Only minor damage was caused to the outside of the building by a person we believed to be a member of the public.

"We fully cooperated with the police and also took the opportunity to reaffirm our robust health and safety processes at Ivy Halls."

The man the police would like to speak to is described as white, of slim build, aged in his mid 20s with short brown hair, and appears to have a deformity to his right arm, and may be missing one or more of the fingers of his left hand.

Anyone with information who who knows the identity of the man should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.