Armed robbery at White Rose Centre in Leeds
Police were called just before 9pm last night.
An investigation is getting underway after an armed robbery at White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds.
Police say they were called last night just before 9pm after 5 people went into Beaverbrooks jewellers with weapons.
They stole a number of watches.
A Police statement said:
"Detectives are appealing for information following an armed robbery at White Rose Shopping Centre last night (Wednesday, 26 June).
"Police received multiple calls from 8:42pm about an ongoing robbery at Beaverbrooks jewellers. It was reported that five suspects entered the shopping centre in possession of weapons including a chainsaw, baseball bats and a sledgehammer. They damaged glass cabinets within the store and made off with a number of watches.
"A member of staff had their hair pulled during the incident but was otherwise physically unharmed."
Detective Inspector John Graham, of Leeds District CID, said:
“This clearly planned and targeted robbery has taken place when the shopping centre was reasonably quiet, but I understand the huge concern that seeing these individuals armed with multiple weapons will have caused to those who were present.
“Thankfully, the staff member who was confronted by these robbers did not suffer any lasting injury, but this has been an extremely traumatic experience for them. Any use of weapons that causes people to fear violence is extremely serious.
“We have extensive enquiries ongoing to identify those responsible. I would urge anyone who has any information that could assist us in our ongoing investigation into this robbery to please make contact.”