A COUNCILLOR has condemned a "sickening and brazen" attack on a pub in Cleckheaton on Monday night, which saw the landlord sprayed with a substance before being struck with a vicious blow, believed to be from an axe.

Cllr Kath Pinnock (Liberal Democrat, Cleckheaton), said she had been informed by police yesterday morning that the attack was carried out by three masked men, who entered The Marsh Hotel Pub in Cleckheaton just before closing time on Monday.

West Yorkshire Police have also confirmed that people inside the pub were told to lie down and to give the suspects their wallets.

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Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, Cllr Pinnock said: "Although the landlord's injuries were not life threatening, that's not to say they weren't serious.

"This was a vicious, sickening and brazen attack. For three men to just walk in like that and do what they did, it's disgraceful.

"It's a popular pub and very highly rated in Cleckheaton so I can't believe someone has done this to them.

"I've had other landlords and landladies in the area asking whether we can guarantee their pubs protection.

"It's awful for them too, as it puts them in a fearful place.

"I've been told a Detective Inspector is in charge of the case so it's good that a senior police officer is looking after it.

"I hope the men are caught, tried and punished according to the law."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "Police in Cleckheaton are appealing for witnesses after a robbery at the Marsh Hotel public house on Monday night.

"The incident happened at 11:10pm when the pub still had customers in. Three suspects entered the pub and demanded money.

"People inside the pub were told to lie down and to give the suspects their wallets.

"They then took an unknown amount of money from the wallets and from the till.

"During the incident a man had an unknown substance thrown over him which caused him to fall to the floor and suffer breathing difficulties.

"He then got back to his feet but was then attacked with a weapon – believed to be an axe – causing him to fall to the floor again.

"When on the floor he was again sprayed with the unknown substance. He suffered injuries to his lip and irritation to the skin

"A second man who had just left the pub was also sprayed in the face with an unknown substance and forced back inside. He was not injured during the incident.

"The three suspects then made off.

"One of the males officers want to speak to in connection with the incident is described as white and wearing a black top with the hood up covering most of his face.

"A second male is described as white and wearing a light coloured hooded top with black clothing covering some of his face. It is thought this male had been in the area of the pub prior to the incident.

"A third male is described as wearing a balaclava.

"One of the three is also believed to have had a hammer on them."

Detective Inspector Alex Bacon of Kirklees CID, said:

“This was a serious incident which has traumatized the victims.

“Two people have been sprayed with a substance which has caused them great distress and one person attacked with what is believed to be an axe.

“Thankfully at this stage we don’t believe anyone was seriously injured but the pub was still open at the time and with it being a bank holiday weekend there will have been a lot of people around the area.

“I want to appeal directly to anyone who saw anything suspicious either immediately before or after the incident to get in touch.”

Call police on 101 quoting crime reference 13190231642 or the independent crime fighting charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111