An arrest has been made after a series of church fires in east London.

Detectives investigating fires at four churches in Waltham Forest and Newham have arrested a 27-year-old man.

The man was arrested on the evening of Monday (June 24) on suspicion of burglary and possession of a bladed item. He was further arrested on suspicion of arson and criminal damage.

According to a Met Police statement published on Tuesday (June 25) 11.19am, the 27-year-old has been taken to an east London police station where he remains.

The church fires all happened on or around Wednesday (June 19) and are being treated as suspicious by police.

The force said detectives are keeping an open mind as to the motive and whether there is any hate crime element to the incidents.

Read more: Three churches in east London set on fire, church leaders said

According to Met Police, a fire had taken place at St John's Church in Broadway, Stratford sometime between 7pm on Tuesday (June 18) and 8am the following morning.

There was damage to the front door of the church and the fire had been extinguished by the time police were called at 10am on Wednesday.

There was another fire at Cann Hall Road Baptist Church in Leytonstone. Police received a call at 10.26am on Wednesday but by the time officers arrived, the informant had put the fire out. Graffiti was also found scratched onto the church door.

There were two other reports of fires that night, and police and firefighters attended.

At 9.11pm, police were called to a fire outside a church in Ramsay Road. Like Cann Hall Road Baptist Church, graffiti was found on the door.

Finally, at 12.14am on Thursday (June 20), police were called to a fire outside St Matthew's Church in Dyson Road, West Ham. Again, graffiti was found on the door.

Read more: FOUR east London churches allegedly set on fire, police confirm

The incidents are being investigated by the police's North East area Community Support Unit and enquiries by the CID and Community Safety Unit continue.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD2459/19JUN or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.