A knife-wiedling would-be armed robber was sent packing by “feisty” post office staff.

Three women were working at Riddlesden Post Office, near Keighley, when the knifeman entered the premises, in Bar Lane.

He threatened the staff with a large kitchen-style knife, and made demands for money.

The women managed to activate the alarm, and the raider fled the premises empty handed, heading on foot towards the canal.

The women were shocked by the incident but physically unharmed.

There were no customers in the post office at the time.

The offender is described as a white man, aged between 20 and 40, stocky, 5ft 6in tall, with short dark hair, navy blue baseball cap, blue jacket zipped up to the nose, and dark trousers and shoes.

The attempted robbery took place at 2.45pm on Wednesday.

Detective Inspector John Priestley, of Airedale and North Bradford CID, said: “Now, this was a busy time of day, and the Post Office is situated quite close to the main road. I am asking any members of the public who may have been in the area at the time and seen a man fitting the description, or acting suspiciously, to contact us at the Keighley CID office on (01535) 617083 or on the main police number, 0845 6060606.

Nobody from the post office was willing to comment when contacted by the Telegraph & Argus.

  • Read the full story Friday’s T&A