Masked raiders shoved staff aside as they grabbed armfuls of expensive designer clothes from a Bradford city centre shop.

The robbers, clad in balaclava masks and dark clothing, burst into the Infinities fashion shop, in Hustlergate, and began helping themselves to items in what police described as a “brazen” attack.

When members of staff tried to stop them they were pushed away by the raiders before the masked men fled to a waiting car.

Detectives are now appealing for a woman witness, who gave a description of the getaway vehicle, to come forward urgently.

The raid took place shortly after 12.30pm on Friday when the three men entered the store, which had one customer in at the time.

They began ransacking the shop and pushed away the shop manager and a female member of staff who tried to tackle them.

Manager Craig Hunt said: “I thought it was a joke at first. The first man came in, swinging his arms low like a monkey. I thought it was a mate playing a prank.

“But when there were three of them in black balaclavas pushing us around I realised it was serious.

“We don’t know the value of what has been stolen yet, but it’s probably in excess of £2,000.

“We moved here in February to be close to Westfield to try to boost trade. We knew we could be targeted, but it won’t put us off.”

Detective Inspector Ryan Bragg, of Bradford District CID, said: “This was a brazen robbery, committed in the middle of the day when the city centre was busy.

“The raiders grabbed armfuls of clothing from the rails, and were dropping items as they made their way out. One of them pulled his arm back and threatened to punch one of the staff members.

“The two members of staff who tried to intervene were uninjured, but shocked.

“We are very keen to hear from a woman witness who was outside the shop and came in shortly after the robbery and provided details of a car parked nearby in which the men left the scene. It was described as a distinctive red Ford Focus with a black bonnet and roof.”

Detectives will be studying CCTV footage for clues.

Anyone with information, or any witnesses, are urged to contact Bradford CID on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.