A VIOLENT gang behind six raids in which cars were stolen from their owners is being hunted by police.

Detectives today appealed for information after masked men armed with weapons, including knives, screwdrivers, and pool cues, carried out the robberies on Monday and Tuesday this week.

Police have arrested a 26-year-old Bradford man who was in custody this morning.

The first crime took place at about 6.40pm on Monday when a silver Volkswagen Golf GTi was stolen from the driveway of a property in Woodlands Crescent, Gomersal, after two men threatened a 42-year-old man with a knife.

The men are believed to have been accompanied by two other men in dark clothing, who left the scene in another vehicle.

This afternoon police appealed for a dog walker who was nearby at the time to get in touch.

The man was seen walking a small dog in Woodlands Crescent, Gomersal, at about 6.45pm on Monday.

Detective Inspector Ryan Bragg, of Bradford District CID, said: "We believe this man may have vital information which may be of assistance and we would urge him to contact us on 101, quoting log *1227 of 4 January."

About two hours later at an address in Tyersal Park, Bradford, a blue Vauxhall Insignia was stolen after a man was threatened with a screwdriver and punched.

This was followed by an incident in Bolton Drive, Eccleshill, at about 10pm, where a silver Mercedes-Benz A200 was taken after threats were made to the occupants.

At about 6pm on Tuesday, four men forced entry into a property in Lumb Bottom, Drighlington, and made threats to the occupants before taking a black Audi A4 estate car.

A similar incident then occurred in Langley Lane, Shipley, at about 7pm, when three men in balaclava masks broke into a house and threatened the occupants before taking an Audi Q7.

The vehicle was recovered by police in Laisterdyke a short time later.

Then at 9pm, four men entered a house in Rooks Close, Wyke, where a woman was punched in the face before the keys were stolen to a silver Mercedes-Benz E250 car.

The six locations where the robberies took place

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Gary Hooks, said: "There are a number of similarities involved in each of these incidents, and a team of specialist detectives is investigating these under one large-scale inquiry.

"Inquiries are at an early stage with regard to who the suspects might be and any vehicles which may have been used, but officers are already following up a number of leads.

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"Resources have been drawn from each district to help with the investigation and public reassurance, and officers will be happy to speak to any residents about any concerns they may have.

"The level of violence used in these offences is clearly of concern, and we are committed to keeping the public safe, so we would ask anyone who has any information about any of these offences to contact Bradford CID on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."