Police are looking for a taxi driver who may have information about a jewellery theft at the intu Watford shopping centre, and car fires in the early hours of Friday morning.

Operation Chesterfield detectives wish to trace the driver of a black and white taxi believed to have been in the area at around 2.40am on August 29.

Shortly after 2.30am in Gladstone Road a blue Audi and a green Polo were set on fire.

Several other vehicles were also damaged in the blaze, including a blue Ford, a silver Honda, a white Nissan and a white Volkswagen.

This incident is being linked to the burglary of three jewellery shops at the intuWatford shopping centre, which occurred at approximately 2.40am.

The offenders forced entry to the centre via the Gordon Scott shoe shop in Queens Road.

Once inside the centre, the offenders forced entry to the shop windows of Beaverbrooks, Ernest Jones and Swag.

Jewellery and watches were stolen before the thieves left via the shoe shop.

It is believed there may have been a black and white taxi being driven in the area around the time of the incident.

It is also believed that there were a number of other motorists who may have seen something as they were diverted around the road closures where the fires were.

Detective Sergeant Jo Goodson, investigating, said: "We are eager to speak to the driver of the taxi as soon as possible as it is believed they may have taken a fare in the area around the time of the incidents and may have crucial information which may assist our investigation. If this was you, or you believe you know the identity of the driver, please contact me straight away.

"We would also like to speak with anyone else who may have been in the area prior to or at the time of incident. Any motorists who were diverted around the fires should contact me if they remember seeing anyone or anything unusual as this may assist our investigation."

Anyone with any information in relation to this incident should contact DS Jo Goodson via Hertfordshire Constabulary’s non-emergency number 101, quoting Operation Chesterfield.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.