A SHOP was hit by machete-wielding raiders TWICE in the space of five days.

Police have launched an investigation and have revealed details of the worrying incidents - the most recent of which unfolded on Boxing Day morning. 

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said three males went into the McColl’s shop on Allerton Road at around 8.15am and made demands for cash and cigarettes.

“One of them was carrying what was believed to be a machete,” the spokesperson said.

“The males escaped with around £150 in cash and a large quantity of cigarettes before driving off in a car, which was possibly a Vauxhall Corsa.”

Police are linking the Boxing Day raid with a similar incident at the same location at around 7am on December 21.

Two males, one armed with what was thought to be a machete, took a smaller amount of cash and cigarettes.

Patrols have now been increased in the area in light of the most recent raid. 

Councillor Richard Dunbar (Lab, Thornton & Allerton) said: “It’s a concern - two armed robberies in such a short space of time.

“Obviously it’s always a shock to hear about something like that in a community where you represent, where there’s a lot of good people doing good things.

“We can’t have people thinking this is okay. We can’t and won’t accept it.”

He urged anyone with any information which may assist the investigation - no matter how small - to come forward and report it to help bring the perpetrators to justice. 

Councillor Sinead Engel (Lab, Clayton and Fairweather Green) also spoke of her horror at the situation.

“I’m horrified for the staff,” she said.

“It’s a very frightening experience to go through”

She said the shop is a vital facility for the community and feared it could be put at risk because of incidents like this and “traumatising hard-working people.”

Cllr Engel said it was “beyond belief” and urged anyone with information to report it to the police, saying it could be the final piece of the jigsaw. 

People have taken to the Telegraph & Argus’s Facebook page to say the shop assistants were left shaken up by what had happened. 

Both incidents are being investigated by Bradford District CID and anyone with information is asked to contact them on 101, or by using the contact options on the West Yorkshire Police website.

Information can also be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers.

The chain has fallen victim to a number of raids over the past year. 

Back in May, police appealed for witnesses following a robbery at the shop on Great Horton Road, just opposite Bradford University.

They said four male suspects with weapons entered the premises and threatened staff, before making off with cash and cigarettes.

Then in June, the store on Broadstone Way, on the Holme Wood estate, fell victim to a ram raid.

A bollard was yanked from the ground while one side of the shop front was almost entirely knocked through.

The Telegraph & Argus contacted McColl’s for a comment.