A BEN Rhydding post office has been targeted by sword-wielding criminals for the second time in three months.

Two masked suspects tried to enter the Wheatley Lane-based post office at 4.46pm on Monday. However, they fled empty-handed after being confronted by sub-postmaster Gary Walker.

Mr Walker has urged the public to help police catch the two men involved, who are also suspected of carrying out an attempted robbery at Burley-in-Wharfedale post office last month.

"Obviously, I have concern for myself but also for the general public using the post office," he said. "I would urge people to telephone the police immediately if they spot anything or anyone suspicious. It certainly won't be treated as wasting police time and may actually help prevent another attack," he said.

Inspector Paul Clynch, of Ilkley Police, said: "This is the third such incident since December 20. We believe the three crimes are connected. In each case a car has been stolen from a railway station car park and the suspects have been carrying a sword and a baseball bat."

The first suspect wanted for questioning after Monday's attempted robbery is described as male, about 5ft tall and of medium build. He was wearing a black ski mask, a cream crew-necked jumper and black jeans. He was carrying a half-moon oriental sword.

The second suspect is also male, about 5ft 10in and slimmer than his accomplice. He was dressed in black, with black gloves and a ski mask. He was carrying a baseball bat.

The two would-be robbers fled in a red Montego, registration G476 SNA. It had been stolen from Burley-in-Wharfedale railway station earlier that afternoon. It was later found abandoned in Hag Farm Road, Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Insp Clynch said: "We did receive reports of four people acting suspiciously in the car park that afternoon, shortly before the incident."

He said it was vital for the public to be aware of suspicious activity in car parks and also outside post offices. Any suspicions should be reported at once.

Ilkley police can be contacted on 01943 601060.

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