Samurai sword raiders strike at Leeds Co-op

Four men in balaclavas stormed into the Co-op supermarket on Swinnow Lane, Swinnow, on Wednesday night wielding a Samurai sword, a long knife and a baseball bat.

Staff fled as the gang shouted threats and trashed shelves.

They ripped out three tills full of cash and grabbed cash boxes, as well as a vast haul of cigarettes from the display units, before escaping.

A fifth man in a getaway car then drove them from the scene shortly after 10pm. The car was later found abandoned.

No-one was hurt in the incident, but employees were said to have been left “very shaken”.The relative of one staff member said: “They were quite violent – they came in shouting and screaming and whacking things.

“They didn’t care who was in there, they just wanted to get their hands on the stuff. The staff ran out of the back until it was all over.”

North West Leeds police are appealing for information over the incident.

A spokesman said: “Five men wearing balaclavas entered the Co-op store in Swinnow shopping centre, in Swinnow Lane, armed with knives and baseball bats.

“Members of staff escaped into a secure area while the men jumped over the counter before stealing money and cigarettes.”

The grey Volvo getaway car was later found abandoned in Lowell Place.

A spokeswoman for The Co-operative Food added: “The members of staff were unhurt, but very shaken by the incident.

“CCTV footage has been given to the police, who are investigating.

“As with any incident such as this, we would appeal for anyone with information to come forward.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who saw the men abandoning the car in Lowell Place is asked to call CID officers at Pudsey police station via 101 or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.