Masked robbers armed with weapons have struck multiple times in a spate of 'linked' incidents in a Bradford village.

Police are appealing for witnesses and conducting a number of active enquiries in the Wibsey area following the alarming robbery offences.

Bradford South Neighbourhood Policing officers are conducting reassurance patrols today as Bradford District CID continues to investigate.

A male has now been arrested in connection with four robbery offences which took place between Monday and Thursday this week.

One of the offences took place in the evening of Tuesday, March 5, at a convenience store on Brownroyd Hill Road when a group of males entered and threatened staff inside. A number of items were stolen from within the shop.

The other offences took place in the evenings of Monday, March 4, Wednesday, March 6 and Thursday, March 7 in the Wibsey Park area.

A police spokesperson said: "In all of the offences, male victims were approached and threatened by masked suspects with weapons who then stole property. No-one was injured in the offences."

Meanwhile, the nearby secondary school has allowed parents to pick their children up early amid concern over the incidents and threatening social media messages.

The T&A has seen messages apparently boasting about the crimes, with very sinister overtones.

When the T&A visited the Wibsey area today, the level of public concern was clear to see.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Emily Donohue (pictured, above right) said: “It’s shocking, it’s awful what’s going on.”

Linda O’Sullivan said: “I’ve picked up my daughter. There’s police in the school now. It’s really bad. We’ve lived here all our lives and crime’s getting worse.”

Sergeant Paul Wharton, of the Bradford South NPT, said: “We realise these offences are causing concern to residents in the Wibsey area and I can promise them a full investigation is ongoing into what took place by our colleagues at Bradford CID

“They are being treated as linked and a male has been arrested in connection with these matters.

“Anyone who can help identify the suspects or has footage of them from the times and areas the offences took place in is asked to contact Bradford CID on 101 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat referencing police crime number 13240123627.

“Information can also be given anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”