A Bradford jewellery shop has been hit by armed raiders.

A Cash for Gold member of staff was forced to hand over a box containing cash by the masked pair, who burst into the James Street shop, at around 10am on Saturday.

The raiders, one of whom was brandishing an iron bar and jumped over the counter, threatened a staff member.

Police are appealing for the occupants of a white van parked on James Street prior to the robbery to contact them as they could be vital to the investigation.

Detective Inspector Ryan Bragg, from Bradford District CID, said: ‘‘From CCTV footage we know the male occupants of a white box-style van had a confrontation with what are believed to be the suspects of a later robbery at the Cash for Gold premises on James Street.

‘‘From the footage it appears the suspects, who we believe were in a blue Ford Focus vehicle, parked on James Street around 9.30am very close to the rear of the white van and may have slightly clipped it. At that point the male occupants of the white van got out and spoke to men in the blue Ford Focus.

‘‘These men could be vital witnesses and I would urge them to come forward.’’ Police said, the men, who were described as Asian, threatened an 18-year-old male member of staff before fleeing with cash to a waiting car, thought to have been a blue Ford Focus, which was later recovered on Paradise Fold, Clayton.

‘‘We believe the occupants of the Ford Focus may have transferred to another vehicle on nearby Pasture Close and I would urge anyone who saw a group of men acting suspiciously in that part of Clayton on Saturday morning to contact police.’’ ‘‘This was a frightening incident for the member of staff at the Cash for Gold store who was fortunately uninjured but has been left understandably upset by what took place. We need to identify those responsible and bring them before the courts,’’ added Det Insp Bragg.

The police said they were unable to release any of the CCTV to the Telegraph & Argus as it was still being worked on for evidential purposes.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting crime reference number 13150092634.

Three men aged 18,19 and 20 have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and released on police bail while inquires continue.