A family jewellery business has been ram-raided by a gang of gun-totting robbers for the second time in four weeks.

Raiders reversed a Toyota people carrier into the front of Chacha Jewellers, in Great Horton Road, Bradford just before midday yesterday and fired two shots in the havoc that ensued.

The raid bore chilling similarities to another armed attack last month at Shaandar Zewar Jewellers, in Maidstone Street, Bradford which is owned by the same family.

Shocked staff member Mohammed Ali said the drama unfolded very quickly.

He said: “I was in the shop at the time. There were two of us. All of a sudden they rammed the vehicle into the shop. We hit the smoke screen so that smoke filled the shop. They came in with guns and we got into the back of the shop. I picked up a fire extinguisher that I have in case of an electrical fire and I was using that to create extra smoke.

“They fired two shots, one hit the door and one above. They were in and out in an instant.”

A businessman, who did not want to be named and was inside SM Travel opposite the jewellers when the robbers struck, said he saw men moving with guns in their hands through the smoke.

He said: “All I saw was the vehicle reversing, I thought it was just reversing the wrong way and the driver had made a mistake. Next thing I know there’s three of them, the shop is half full of smoke and I could make out some people had guns. I heard two shots. I was shocked and frightened. I called the police.

“There was an Audi parked in the side street that made off.”

Detective Inspector Ian Bryar, of Bradford South CID, who is leading the investigation, said: “Quite clearly we are dealing with an armed robbery where a vehicle was reversed through the window of a jewellery shop. It’s still unclear exactly what’s happened when the car has reversed through the window but we do believe a firearm was being discharged. Thankfully no-one has been injured.

“At this stage we don’t know what’s been stolen.

“We believe another vehicle was used as a getaway car and we are currently trying to trace that vehicle. We believe it was driven off down Great Horton Road in the direction of the city centre.”

Nearby residents spoke of their shock at the scene as detectives surveyed a cordoned-off area outside the shop for clues, interrupting traffic travelling along Great Horton Road. A section of road was cordoned off between Cambridge Street and Derby Street. Discarded busts used to display gold jewellery lay scattered across the floor in front of the shop counter. Resident Mohammed Shafiq, 39, said: “It’s a terrible situation. It’s not acceptable.”

Subhaan Afzar, 19, said: “It’s shocking what people can do. You wouldn’t think something like that would happen on your doorstep.”

Det Insp Bryar said CCTV footage was being studied for clues. Witnesses can contact Bradford South CID on 0845 6060606.