Image copyrightMet PoliceImage caption The suspect was captured on CCTV during one of the break-ins
Break-ins at two Hindu temples in the week following Diwali were carried out by the same person, police believe.
Religious idols and donations were stolen during the burglaries in Harrow and Brent on 9 and 13 November.
The Met said the timing, proximity of the buildings and method used to enter suggested both raids could be linked.
An image of the suspect, captured on one temples’ CCTV system, has been released. Police have appealed for information.
In the early hours of 9 November, priests at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Willesden Lane spotted a man in the building when they were awoken by a crashing sound.
Idols and charitable donations made during the Diwali celebrations had been taken.
Image copyrightGoogleImage caption Cash and three “beloved” idols were stolen from the temple in Willesden
Four days later, the Shri Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple (SKSS) in Westfield Lane was broken into at about 03:45 GMT.
Again, no suspect was found but CCTV showed a lone male searching the building where several items were taken.
Image copyrightMet PoliceImage caption Various religious items were taken from the Shri Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple
In both cases the suspect forced entry into the building through a glass door or window.
Det Con Pete Wallace called on the community “to keep a look out for religious idols that may be offered for sale” and urged other temples to take extra care when locking away valuable items.
Image copyrightGoogleImage caption An alarm was triggered at the temple in Harrow, following the break-in
Image copyright Met Police 
