A MACHETE has been found by police in Eccleshill after they spotted a group of masked men in a Volkswagen Golf.

Bradford East police sighted a black Volkswagen Golf with the occupants wearing face coverings in Thackley yesterday afternoon.

The Golf was pursued by traffic officers into Idle before it was lost heading into Thorpe Edge.

The VW Golf was then found insecure and abandoned on Stott Terrace, Eccleshill.

Police said the Golf bearing false registration plates was searched and officers located a number of items within the vehicle which will provide further lines of enquiry to trace those involved and any link to other offences.

They reported: "Worryingly, this machete was also located in the boot of the vehicle. That has now been taken off the streets, out of the hands of criminals and will be examined before being destroyed."

Officers were in the area to attend a report of a delivery driver having his Ford Transit van stolen from Leeds Road at Thackley.

A short time later the Transit was located on Thornes Park, Shipley. The driver was reunited with the van and all his parcels were still present.