VANDALS damaged 18 cars and caused more than £2,000 worth of damage in a wrecking spree last night.

Officers are viewing CCTV security footage and have appealed for the public's help in catching the gang who went on the rampage in Brierfield last night.

They attacked 18 cars parked in the Carlton Street and Taylor Street-Chapel Street areas of the town at around 8pm. Windscreens and windows were smashed leaving glass littered across streets and pavements.

Inspector David Shepherd, of Nelson police, said: "There's no apparent pattern or motive for this.

"It seems someone has indiscriminately caused mindless damage to cars parked in the area.

"Obviously it is something we are very concerned about and we are determined to get to the bottom of it.

"We're not sure what was used to cause the damage. There's no evidence of bricks being left behind so we assume it was some kind of heavy instrument.

"The damage must run to at least £2,000 and it's not just the cost, it's the inconvenience to the owners of these vehicles. "Because of the scale of the damage and the busy area it was in someone must have seen something or someone acting suspiciously and we would like to hear from any member of the public who has information. That information will be treated in the strictest confidence."

Although the areas where the vandalism took place are not covered by CCTV cameras, officers hope they may be able to pinpoint the culprits if they were filmed elsewhere.

Although most of the cars attacked were in the Taylor Street area which is across the town centre from Carlton Street police believe the vandalism is connected.

"I've no evidence to say so definitely, but we suspect they were carried out by the same person or people," said Inspector Shepherd.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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