Police today appealed to anyone who recognises the black-clad figure – or another man captured on film who might be a key witness – to come forward.

It was shortly before 4.50am on Sunday, June 22, that police received a report of a fire at Curriculum Training Associates on Elliott Street, Tyldesley.

Officers attended and found the building, a computer sales and repair business, alight. Firefighters arrived and extinguished the blaze.
The fire had been started deliberately at the back of the building after an intruder pulled off a metal window guard and threw in a device, which started the fire. The arsonist then ran off.

Police have now released CCTV stills from around 4.30am which show the offender in black walking along Elliott Street, shortly before they received their first report of the fire.

They also show a man wearing a white shirt, getting into a dark-coloured taxi, who may have seen the offender.
PC Ian Thompson, of Atherton police station said: "Fortunately nobody was injured as a result of this fire, however the building suffered extensive damage.

"I am keen to speak to anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity around that time.
"The man getting into the taxi is not believed to have been involved with this fire in any way, but we would like him to get in touch with us, as well as the taxi driver, as they may have vital information which could help us trace this offender."

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to call Atherton police station on 0161 856 7329, Wigan CID on 0161 856 5307 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.