Hunt for thief after two shops are raided

They have released CCTV images, which can be viewed on the Force website, and have appealed for public help in identifying the culprit.

The first incident occurred at 6pm on Sunday December 11 when a man entered a store on Gaythorne Road in West Bowling and attacked the cash register with a hammer.

Unable to remove the till, he then demanded cigarettes from the shopkeeper and made away with a few packets.

It is believed he left the store on foot towards Mark Street.

The second incident occurred the following day, on Monday, at 4:40pm at another store on Rigton Street.

A man entered the store armed with a hammer and began to hit the chocolate display stand.

The shopkeeper defended himself using a step ladder and a golf club to force the man from the store. The suspect left the store empty handed and is believed to have made away on foot in the direct of Roxby Street.

On both occasions the suspect is described as Asian, in his early twenties wearing a scarf over his mouth. He was also described as wearing a dark green coloured coat with the hood up and a glove on one hand only.

Detective Inspector Mark Long said: “These offences are been thoroughly investigated by detectives in Bradford South CID who have already made a number of enquiries to trace the person responsible.

“With the help of the public, however; we are hopeful that the images will result in people coming forward with a positive identification.

“The shopkeepers involved are very shocked and upset at what happened and they are fortunate they escaped without injury.

“These were cowardly attacks on a hard working people simply running their businesses.”