POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a spate of incidents in which they believe air pistols were used to cause thousands of pounds-worth of damage to car and shop windows in Colne

In each of the attacks during the past week, small holes have been made in panes of glass but nothing has been stolen from the shops targeted.

The incidents all happened between Saturday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 21.

Damage was reported during the weekend at the Lancashire Carpet Centre, at Primet Bridge, where £450 of damage was caused to two single glazed windows, and at M&C Upholstery, in Albert Road, where £1,500 was caused two large double glazed windows.

The rear window of a Nissan Primera parked on the forecourt of Craven Garage, in Keighley Road, was also damaged, overnight on Monday, when two small holes were made in the glass.

Further damage was discovered overnight on Tuesday at Colne Auction, in Colne Lane, where a large window with toughened glass worth £750 was hit, and at the First Encounter baby accessories shop, in Church Street, where a pane of glass was hit at three points and cost £850 to repair.

Although the police cannot be certain, they believe it is the work of someone with an air pistol.

DC Dean Holden said: "The damage could have been caused by small stones but our theory is that there is someone going around shooting an air pistol.

"There have not been any fire arms recovered but the type of damage is consistent with the use of some sort of air pistol.

"Although these are not serious offences as such, there is a potential danger that someone could be hurt and it could even be the person using the pistol from the gun's ricochet. It is a concern if there is someone walking round with an air pistol and we would like anyone with information about anyone who is in possession of such a thing to contact us."

Anyone with information should contact Colne CID on 01282 472441.