A mystery arsonist nicknamed "Nero" has set fire to more than 400 motorcycles and cars in Rome, causing around £2 million in damage.

For the past three months, a series of blazes have been started in vehicles parked in the streets of the Italian capital, and police say it is only a matter of time before someone is killed.

A police spokesman said "In the latest attack in the north of the city, a tragedy was only narrowly avoided. The flames from the burning cars almost set fire to a block of flats. Although so far no-one has been killed, it is only a matter of time. Already we have come close to fatalities after petrol tanks of the cars and motorbikes have exploded."

Underground garages have reported an increase in customers because of fears that their cars will be destroyed if they park on the streets overnight.