TWO men have been arrested in connection with raids on jewellery shops in Bradford and Yeadon.

The businesses were targeted yesterday by a hammer-wielding man in separate strikes just over five hours apart.

The first raid happened at H&T Pawnbrokers, in James Street, Bradford city centre, at about 9.45am. Police said a man tried to smash a window with a large hammer, but failed and left the scene empty-handed in a red Vauxhall Corsa driven by a second man.

The same men are then said to have struck at Craven jewellers on High Street, Yeadon, at about 3.10pm. Staff at the business said a masked man armed with a sledgehammer rained down five or six blows on the shop's toughened glass.

It is thought he then reached into the display before escaping in a red Vauxhall Corsa driven by a second man who witnesses said was not wearing a mask.

Police said two men, aged 39 and 32 and from Bradford, were arrested at about 5.50pm yesterday on suspicion of burglary and attempted robbery.

A police spokesman said officers received a tip-off about the whereabouts of the Corsa and found it on a retail park in Manningham Lane, with some jewellery inside that is believed to be from the Yeadon jewellers. The men were arrested after a short foot chase.

Irene Bennett,  volunteer at the RSPCA shop next door to H&T Pawnbrokers, said: “A chap with a mask was braying the hell out of the shutter with a big hammer, and managed to break the glass through it.

“He made so much noise and it was in broad daylight I don’t know why he even tried it.

“A few months ago we had a break-in in the middle of the night and had to get the police round and a new door fitted, and the other pawnbrokers over the road have had break-ins as well, it happens round here quite a lot and is getting a bit bad.

“I just cannot understand them trying it at 9.15 in the morning in broad daylight.”

Another shop owner, who asked not to be named, said: “I was just leisurely walking round the corner at the top of James Street and this red Corsa came whizzing past and was all over the place driving on the wrong side of the road, speeding, and just shot off.”

Another shop owner, who also asked not to be identified, said: “My colleague was in the shop at the time and heard loud banging outside, then an engine revving as the red car screeched away up the street.”