Knifepoint robberies in two Bradford homes

Officers said the two incidents on Weetwood Road and Haworth Road, Bradford took place yesterday evening and believe the robberies may also be linked to a road traffic accident where four Asian men were seen fleeing the scene near Bradford Royal Infirmary.

In the first robbery a group of four or five men wearing balaclavas forced their way into a house on Weetwood Road just after 5pm and grabbed a 26-year-old woman and threatened her.

The men demanded gold from the woman and her 54-year-old mother who was also inside the property.

Some of the group then searched the house while the women were kept downstairs and forced at knifepoint to hand over jewellery including gold bangles and wedding rings.

All of the men then fled leaving the women with minor injuries, but extremely shaken.

In the second incident a group of men broke into a semi-detached house on Haworth Road at about 6.30pm and threatened a 24-year-old woman and her 79-year-old grandmother at knifepoint.

They demanded cash and jewellery and then searched the property before fleeing with a briefcase, watches and a jewellery box. A black BMW 318i was also stolen from the address by the group.

Both women inside were left unhurt but extremely upset.

Det Insp Ryan Bragg of Bradford District CID, said: “Clearly these are very serious incidents in which the women in both houses have been threatened at knifepoint in what must have been terrifying ordeals.

“It is fortunate none were seriously hurt and it is important we locate those responsible for both incidents, which we are linking, as quickly as possible.”

Subsequently, at about 6.40pm police were called to a road traffic collision on Smith Lane, Bradford after a blue Volvo V40 D2 was in collision with a Ford Focus.

Four Asian men inside fled from the car which was bearing a false reg plate of R20 CJC and had been stolen from an address in York.

Det Insp Bragg added: “I am keen to speak with any witnesses to both offences and to anyone who saw four men running away from the RTC on Smith Lane or who saw four Asian men running away from the blue Volvo D2 and into the grounds of the BRI.

“Descriptions which we have so far for the suspects was that all were Asian, with one speaking Pubjabi. All wore dark clothing expect one man who was wearing a grey tracksuit.

“We are doing all we can to investigate these offences and I would ask anyone who has information to help us catch these men to contact Bradford CID on 101.

“Information can also be given top Crimestoppers in total anonymity on 0800 555 111.”