POLICE are hunting for raiders who terrified staff and customers during an attempted robbery at Burley-in-Wharfedale post office this week.

At about 5.15pm on Monday two individuals in balaclavas entered the post office in Station Road. One of the suspects was carrying a blade-type instrument, which police believe may have been a sword.

They threatened staff and tried to smash their way through the security screen.They failed and fled from the scene empty handed, driving away in a white Ford Escort, registration G823 KUG, which had been parked outside the post office.

It had been stolen from Burley-in-Wharfedale railway station car park earlier that afternoon. It was later found abandoned on a dirt track next to Moor Lane in the village.

The two suspects are described as white, in their late teens or early twenties. One is described as about 5ft 5in, the second was about 6ft tall.Both wore waist- length dark jackets.

Officers are also anxious to trace a silver Rover 214 car, registration J317 SUK, which was stolen from the railway station on Monday afternoon.

Acting Sergeant Tony Reed, of Keighley Police, said: "I can also reveal that a woman was injured during the attempted robbery and did require hospital treatment. She was later released,"

"We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident or has information about the stolen cars," he said. People should contact DC Keitch or PC Southgate on 01535 617081.

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