AN investigation is underway after 14 cars were allegedly either broken into or damaged in one Pendle neighbourhood within the space of 48 hours.

Police received reports of around 12 vehicles being targeted in the Leeds Road area of Nelson on Friday and Saturday.

Motorists had seen the quarter lights of their vehicles smashed and thieves take a variety of stereos, satelite navigation systems and personal effects.

Sgt Matt Henderson said 12 separate vehicles had been involved in the spate of attacks, and another two had been damaged, possibly by would-be thieves.

Early yesterday police arrested a suspect - a Nelson man seen in the area around the time of the thefts - and he was being questioned about the incidents last night.

In one incident in Barcross Road, near Leeds Road, a Ford Transit van was broken into and a sat-nav system worth £350 was taken.

Another break-in, where the vinyl roof of a Citroen Saxo was cut away, causing hundreds of pounds of damage, was also reported to police.

Police say the thief only managed to scoop a couple of pound coins from a glove compartment inside the vehicle.

In a third attack a Ford Focus was also broken into, with a thief smashing a small window, and locking wheel nuts and a Nokia mobile phone charger were taken from the car's glove compartment.

Sgt Henderson said if anyone had any information about the raids, or had seen suspicious activity on Friday and Saturday in the Leeds Road area to come forward.

Potential witnesses can contact Pendle police on 01282 425001.