A 65-year-old woman shop assistant was taken to hospital with blood pouring from a head wound after a “senseless attack” for a small amount of cash and cigarettes.

Police said two men entered Moor Stores, in Leeds Old Road, Bradford, just after 9am yesterday and used “unnecessary force” on a woman who posed no risk to them.

The shop assistant, who is a member of the family that runs the business, had to be taken to hospital for treatment, which included stitches to the wound.

A small amount of cash was taken along with a quantity of cigarettes, before both men made off on foot along Rushton Road.

Maqsood Khan, owner of Amaan Foods, next door to Moor Stores, said: “I live upstairs, so when I came downstairs this morning the police were already arriving. That was at about 9.30am.

“A policeman asked me if it was all right for the lady to come into my shop.

“She was bleeding from the head and she was in shock.

“She was bleeding all over her face.

“I was in shock – it is a worrying thing to happen.”

Detective Inspector Ian Bryar, of Bradford South CID, said: “This was a senseless attack on a shop assistant who posed no threat to these men.

“They used unnecessary force resulting in bruising and cuts to her face which required stitches in hospital.

“This has occurred at a time when the roads would have been relatively busy and people would be going about their business in the immediate area.

“I would like to call upon anyone who has seen this incident occur or saw the men leaving the store in the direction of Rushton Road to come forward.”

The first man was described as being of mixed race, wearing a light-grey hooded top and jeans.

The second man was wearing a dark-coloured top and jeans.

The shop was cordoned off yesterday while investigations were carried out.

Mohammed Javed, who lives across the road from the shop, said police had wanted to see footage from the security cameras at his property.

He said: “The police wanted to see the camera, but they said they would come back later.

“The whole incident makes me feel bad, because it is near our doorstep.”

Mr Javed said he had five small children living at his home.

He said: “You don’t want them seeing things like this.”

Anyone with any information has been asked to contact Bradford South CID on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.

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