A hooded robber who claimed to have a gun and threatened to set light to petrol during a terrifying raid on a Bradford bookmaker’s shop might have struck twice again.

Detectives are hunting the suspect they believe could be responsible for two other attempted robberies within days of each other.

In all three incidents, the man, with a scarf covering the lower half of his face, has approached staff and threatened to pour petrol on the counter and set it alight.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Lyons, of Bradford CID, said neighbourhood policing patrols had been increased with officers advising businesses to be on their guard in case he strikes again.

Det Sgt Lyons said: “This man’s actions are worrying, so we must catch him quickly. There is a pattern in that he is targetting businesses at the end of their day of takings.

"However, they have also been times when people will have been about and might have seen him. We’d ask people to think back to where they were at those times and get in touch if they remember anything.”

In the latest incident at Ladbrokes bookmakers in Beacon Road on Wednesday night, the man went up to the counter at about 9pm and held up a a blue carrier bag and a threatening note demanding money.

The cashier immediately pressed the panic alarm before running into a back room. When she returned a few minutes later, the man had gone and nothing had been taken.

Police have released CCTV images of the man, who appears to be wearing a distinctive hound’s tooth checked scarf, a black and grey jumper and a grey hooded top.

Detectives are linking that incident to a robbery at the William Hill betting shop in Manchester Road, Bradford, on December 5 at about 9.40pm when a female cashier was left shocked and frightened after the intruder poured a liquid on the counter and waved a lighter over it.

She was forced to bundle £320 in notes into a bag and hand it over to the robber, who then fled on foot.

The woman employee had been alone behind the counter when the robber burst in.

The other incident happenend this Tuesday, at the Post Office in Manchester Road, Wibsey Bank, at about 4.55pm.

A police spokesman said it was a similar scenario with the hooded man making threats to pour and light petrol if money was not handed over.

Staff at the post office were protected from the man by a large glass screen and pressed a panic button before the man fled empty-handed.

Anyone with information on any of the incidents should call Bradford CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.