Masked gang in cash and carry raid

The gang of seven men knocked down bollards at the entrance to Makro in Lower Wortley, Leeds, during the attack at the weekend.

They then used the stolen Land Rover to break in through the fire exit at the store and carry out a huge haul of cigarettes.

In what police say was an organised crime, a white van was on hand to help them make a getaway. The stolen car was abandoned on-site.

A police spokesman said: “At 10.45pm on Friday, September 14, a stolen Land Rover was rammed into a fire exit to gain entry to the Makro store on Royds Lane, which was closed to customers.

“The internal shutter was then forced open.

“The men, who all had their faces covered, used a number of large plastic sacks to carry out thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes, mainly Silk Cut and Rothmans brands.

“At least seven men were involved.”

The gang members made several trips to and from the waiting white Ford Transit van before leaving.

There were thought to be about a dozen staff on site at the time working in the warehouse, but none of them was threatened or hurt.

The whole incident is thought to have lasted less than five minutes.

Police have recovered the Land Rover, which was left at the scene, and are examining it for forensic evidence.

The car had been stolen in an earlier incident from a property in Rawdon in Leeds.

A Makro spokeswoman said the cash and carry was open for business despite the incident and reassured businesses its service was unaffected.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call Det Sgt Tony Nutton at Weetwood police station via 101.