A TEENAGER and man have been arrested after nine cars were set on fire in just over an hour, across three different towns.

Officers dealt with the reports of car arsons overnight in Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike and Batley.

Police were first called to reports of two cars being set alight on Lime Tree Avenue, Batley, just before midnight yesterday.

They then received another call, at 12.20am, saying that four vehicles had been deliberately set on fire, on New North Road, Heckmondwike, just under two miles away.

Officers also discovered two cars, which had been damaged in another fire, at 1am on Barrington Parade, Cleckheaton.

That third instance of arson was just over one-and-a-half miles away from the second set of cars.

Shortly after 1am, police then received reports of a car fire on Church Street, back in Heckmondwike.

There were no injuries as a result of any of the fires.

Patrols and enquiries were conducted in the area and a 23-year-old man and a 17-year-old male were arrested by officers after being stopped in their vehicle.

They remain in police custody, but officers are appealing for anyone with information, or anyone who may have CCTV, to come forward, with a third person on police's radar.

Detective Inspector Di Johnson, of Kirklees District CID, said: "Thankfully no one was injured in these incidents but considerable damage was caused.

"Officers acted swiftly and two people are currently in police custody for questioning in connection with the arsons, and we are carrying out enquiries to trace a third person.

"I would appeal for anyone with information to contact police as soon as possible.

"I would also ask for anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in these areas or anyone who may have CCTV relating to the incident to also contact officers."

Anyone with information should contact police using the online 101 chat service or by calling 101.