Delivery drivers are being warned to be on their guard after vehicles were stolen from two milkmen and a courier in Bradford.

The three incidents, which are being liked by police, saw the victims pushed over by the thief just prior to the vehicles being stolen.

The most recent theft happened at about 1.15am on Monday when a milkman stopped his Nissan NV200 van to make a delivery on Toller Lane, at the junction of Whitby Road, in Girlington.

As he stood by his van, the milkman was pushed to the floor from behind by a man, who then got into the vehicle and drove off towards Thornton Road. The van was later found locked and secure in Como Avenue, off Lingwood Avenue.

Officers think the theft is linked to two that happened in the space of an hour on September 16.

The first happened on Thorn Street, Girlington, at 11.50am when a milkman was shoved to the ground by a man as he returned to his Nissan pick-up truck. The thief stole the truck's keys and drove away. There was also a bag containing money in the truck.

One hour later, at 12:50pm, a courier stopped and got out of his white Vauxhall Vivaro van on Pasture Lane in Clayton. He was pushed over from behind and the van was driven away by an unseen suspect. The vehicle was later found abandoned on West Lane in Thornton, but missing its keys and some parcels. The keys were later found on nearby Allerton Lane.

The thief is described as having a small head in proportion to his body.

Police said the suspect was male, either Asian or Eastern European in appearance, aged in his 20s or 30s, 5ft 8ins tall, stocky, with short cropped hair. He was wearing a black jacket during the first two thefts. Officers also say he has been described as having a small head in proportion to his body.

Detective Inspector Alan Flynn, of Bradford District CID, said: "We would like to hear from anyone who might have seen this vehicle as it travelled from Whitby Road to Como Avenue at about 1.20am on Monday.

"It is possible that this incident is linked to another one in the Girlington area on September 16, when a milkman had his truck stolen after he was pushed to the ground.

"We would also like to remind all delivery drivers to be aware of their surroundings when stopping to make deliveries, and to remove the keys from the vehicle before doing so."

Anyone with any information about the incidents is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.