A community was today said to be gripped by “panic and fear” following a spate of terrifying burglaries involving a gang of three masked men.

Detectives are now linking four violent break-ins that have been carried out in the Heaton area of Bradford in little more than a week.

In two of the incidents, traumatised residents have been tied up and threatened by intruders, who then ransacked their homes for jewellery and cash.

Unnerved by the crimes, many homeowners in the area have been trying to tighten security by installing burglar alarms and other crime-prevention devices.

And a ward councillor has drafted a letter to be distributed at mosques in the area to warn residents to be on their guard.

Break-ins have occurred at Duchy Crescent between 1.20am and 1.40am on June 12, Toller Drive between 2am and 5am on June 15, Allerton Road before 4am on June 19 and Brantwood Crescent between 7am and 7.30am on June 20.

As reported in yesterday’s Telegraph & Argus, the Brantwood Drive incident left a couple terrified after three knife-wielding masked raiders tied them up, along with their two young daughters, and demanded money and jewellery.

Having read about that incident, another victim contacted the Telegraph & Argus yesterday with details of his family’s experiences.

Businessman Mohammed Rashid, 42, who owns two deli shops in Bradford, said his house in Toller Drive, Heaton, was targeted last Tuesday while he was away for the night on a business trip to London.

Mr Rashid said his wife, Balqis Begum, 39, and their four children, aged between two and 20, were asleep upstairs when intruders broke in through the conservatory door.

He said: “There’s a pattern to all these burglaries. They ransacked the house downstairs, went upstairs into the bedroom and tied up my wife.

“They took £7,000 in cash, which I would have used to pay food suppliers for my deli, a substantial amount of jewellery, including an anniversary present for my wife, a camcorder and quite a few computers.

“My wife has been traumatised. We have not slept for a whole week. It’s very, very uncomfortable to think they are still out there and have not been caught. People on our street have been rushing to get burglar alarms and better security. It’s chilling.”

Councillor Imdad Hussain (Lab, Heaton) said: “There have been a lot of nasty aggravated burglaries and these incidents have created a sense of panic and fear.

“This sort of thing is not on. It’s very disturbing. We need to create awareness for people to be on their guard. I’m drafting a letter to distribute at the local mosques.

“Four of my family live in the Haworth Road and Bingley Road area and they are totally in fear and they are going to install panic buttons to connect with the alarm system.”

Airedale and North Bradford CID said a group of three masked Asian men were believed to be involved in the break-ins.

Detective Inspector John Mountain said: “Following further investigation, police are linking a series of four burglaries in the Heaton area between June 12 and 20.

“Several lines of inquiry are being investigated by detectives and I would again urge anyone who has information about these incidents to come forward and contact us at Airedale and North Bradford CID on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”