Man questioned over store prank

The suspected culprit had been drinking in the store

A man has been arrested after the sprinkler system was triggered at Harvey Nichols in London causing £250,000 damage to stock.

It is believed a man set off the luxury store's sprinklers using a cigarette lighter.

Expensive televisions and stereos were destroyed by flooding.

The man had allegedly been drinking in the store's fifth floor bar before the incident in April, which police have described as a "prank".

Two women who were seen chatting to the man are believed to have come forward as a result of a BBC Crimewatch appeal this week.

Detective Constable David Cahill, of Notting Hill police, west London, said: "The man was talking to a couple of girls and they were among the last to leave.

There is no suggestion that it was anything to do with him getting one over on the store Det Con David Cahill

"They were about to get the lift down. He was completely inebriated and starts looking at the sprinkler system.

"He gets out what we think is a lighter and holds it up to the sprinkler.

"All 8,000 gallons of water from the entire sprinkler system then emptied out through the one sprinkler.

"There were Bang and Olufsen television sets and sound systems in there that got water damaged."

He added: "I think it was very much a prank. There is no suggestion that it was anything to do with him getting one over on the store."

A man was arrested after he voluntarily attended Charing Cross police station on Friday.

He is now being questioned about criminal dmage at the store.