A gang of masked robbers armed with baseball bats raided a busy Bradford bank in broad daylight, snatching cash from terrified female staff.

The four robbers burst into the HSBC branch in Idle Road, Eccleshill, and threatened two terrified women staff shortly after the bank opened yesterday.

The bat-wielding raiders, who are believed to have been wearing ski masks, demanded the women hand over money before making off in a car just after 9.50am.

Witnesses saw the getaway car, a silver Volkswagen Golf – registration MX06 SKY – heading up Idle Road, towards Five Lane Ends.

People living in Idle Road yesterday told of their shock following the daylight robbery on their doorsteps.

Jaz Singh, 40, who lives near the bank, said: “There are schools nearby and plenty of people – women and children – walking about.

“It is unbelievable this has happened.”

Mohammed Naveed, 28, was in his home with his family at the time of the robbery.

He said: “I’m shocked. I saw the ladies who work there when they were going in and then we went for breakfast. It must have happened then.

“We have had police knocking on doors trying to find out what is going on.”

A police investigation has now begun to try and catch the robbers.

Officers cordoned off the area surrounding the bank, including a bus stop, yesterday lunch time.

A plain clothes policeman was interviewing bank workers and witnesses as forensic officers carried out a fingertip search of the bus stop.

A police scientific support vehicle was parked outside and two PCSOs stood guard outside the closed bank.

Mandy Godhall, 36, of Idle Road, said: “When I looked out at about 10.15am, there were two police vans, police cars and people all over the place.”

She added: “It is getting really bad around here, my neighbour got broken into in broad daylight only about six weeks ago. I don’t know what it’s coming to. You don’t expect to see this on your own doorstep.”

Detectives from Airedale and North Bradford CID are appealing for witnesses.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “At 9.50am four masked men forced their way into the bank and stole an amount of cash before leaving the scene in a silver VW Golf.

“The robbers are believed to have been armed with bats but no-one was hurt during the robbery.”

Anyone with information should contact Keighley CID on 0845 6060606.