by Anna White White and Andy Gray

A third man has been arrested in connection with a series of arson attacks.

The 22-year-old was arrested yesterday afternoon.

Two other men, aged 19 and 34, were arrested hours earlier.

Officers carried out warrants at two addresses in the Shepway area.

The arrests relate to five arson attacks in and around Maidstone between October 2010 and January 2011.

The attacks are linked by spray-painted numbers left at the scene of the fires

The Kent Messenger alerted police of the crimes after we received three emails from someone claiming to be responsible.

Threats were also made to our office.

In a third email sent to the KM on Wednesday, February 16, the author warned: "I am now upping the game.

"I will stop just targeting commercial places.

"I’m just going to enjoy my work that I was chosen for.

"Good luck with the hunt."

The emails were passed to police and are expected to form a major part of the investigation.

Officers spent yesterday morning examining computer files at the two addresses.

The first of the five fires which the arsonist claimed responsibility for took place on October 28 at the Lenham office of Faversham and Mid Kent MP Hugh Robertson.

There were further attacks at a petrol station in Boughton Monchelsea, a bath and kitchen firm in Sutton Valence and a newsagents in Sutton Valence.

The latest attack took place at Wents Service Station in Ulcombe near Kingswood on January 29.

The fires are being investigated by Mid Kent detectives and a team from Kent and Essex serious crime department.

Chf Supt Matthew Nix, area commander for Mid Kent, said: "Although, this investigation is ongoing and still in it’s early stages, I would like to thank the Kent Messenger Maidstone for their continued assistance with this case.

"Their community spirited actions are a shining example of police and public working together."