A hooded arsonist set light to a front door in the middle of the night using petrol or a similar accelerant in a "deliberate attempt" to burn the property down.

The Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the address in Hampden Road in the early hours of this morning (April 11) between 1am and 1.15am. 

Police say "due to the time of night" no other features can be identified of the arsonist.

Nobody was injured in the incident but Detective Chief Inspector Steve Jones said "it could have been much worse".

The detective, based at Aylesbury police station, said: “This appears to be a deliberate attempt to set fire to this property and I am appealing to anybody who may have witnessed this incident to please get in touch with Thames Valley Police.

“Although this happened in the early hours of the morning, I would also ask anybody who may have been driving in the area and have dash-cam in their vehicles to please check and contact us if it has captured anything that may assist this investigation.

“Did you see anybody acting in a suspicious manner in the early hours of this morning?

“I would also urge local residents to please check CCTV and doorbell footage to see if this may have captured the incident, or the moments leading up to the incident.

“Thankfully, nobody was injured as a result of this attack, but it could have been much worse had the fire service not acted quickly to extinguish the fire.

“Anybody with any information can make a report online or call 101, quoting reference number 43220155160.

“Alternatively, for 100% anonymity, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”