Video: Masked armed raider targets shops in Bradford

Police in Bradford are keen to identify a man who they want to speak to in connection with four attempted robberies which were committed between the afternoon of Thursday August 28 and the morning of Friday August 29.

On each occasion, a lone, masked man demanded money but was unsuccessful in his attempts.

A composite description of the suspect is of a dark skinned man, aged 20 – 35 years, slim build, between five feet seven inches and six feet tall, clean shaven and wearing a dark jacket and gloves.

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The first incident occurred at 1.05 pm, on Thursday August 28, at a Bookmakers on Allerton Road.

The manager was threatened by a suspect with a hammer outside the premises but was able to fight him off and escaped with minor bruises.

The second offence took place at 5.15 pm on the same day at a convenience store in Staveley Road, Keighley.

The suspect demanded money, once again threatening the owners with a hammer, but they were able to activate the alarm and he fled empty handed.

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Just before 9pm, the suspect entered a convenience store on Thornton Road demanding money and brandishing a small claw hammer.

The owner made efforts to disarm the suspect and was repeatedly struck with the hammer.

The suspect smashed his way through a Perspex screen and out of the shop and his face was uncovered and captured on CCTV.

No property was stolen and the suspect made off on foot down Middlebrook Way.

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The fourth incident took place at 6.45am this morning (Friday August 29) when the female resident of a public house on Girlington Road was approached by a man as she came out of a side door onto Girlington Road.

She managed to lock the door and get away and the suspect was seen running towards Thornton Road.

Detective Inspector Neil Benstead, of Bradford CID, said: “At this stage we believe the incidents are linked; it is still possible that what happened this morning is not connected, however we are investigating every possibility. On each occasion the victims were left shaken and, in two cases, they have physical injuries as a result of what occurred.

“Hopefully someone will recognise this man from the CCTV footage or from the description provided by the victims and witnesses. We urge anyone who might have information about these attempted robberies or who was in the area at the times when they were committed, to call us on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”