Detectives investigating an armed robbery at a Bradford supermarket believe it could be linked to a similar raid only hours before at a bookmaker’s in the city.

Staff at the Co-op store in Allerton Road, Allerton, were threatened by three masked men armed with knives and an axe who stole cash and cigarettes.

The robbery took place soon after an armed robbery at a Betfred bookmaker’s in Tong Street where three men, armed with similar weapons and with their faces covered, threatened staff and escaped with cash.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman yesterday said: “We are looking into the possibility that the two incidents are linked.”

The raid at the bookmaker’s took place shortly after 3pm on Monday. The Co-op robbery took place at about 9.45pm.

Detectives have appealed for more witnesses to come forward to the Co-op raid. The robbers were seen crossing Allerton Road and jumping over a wall into a nearby field to make their escape.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “At around 9.45pm three masked men entered the store armed with knives and an axe.

“They made demands for the contents of the till and also for cigarettes to be placed in a bin liner.”

The spokesman said: “No-one was injured during the incident, however staff were left shaken.”

A Co-operative spokesman said a small number of customers who had been in the store at the time had also been left shaken by the incident but not hurt.

The spokesman said: “The men threatened three members of staff who were working at the time.

“The men made off with a quantity of cash and cigarettes. We are reviewing security at the store and CCTV has been given to the police.

“As with any incident such as this, we would appeal for anyone with information to come forward.”

Meanwhile, police are continuing to appeal for information on the armed robbery at the Betfred shop in Tong Street.

Three men in grey hooded tops and black scarves covering their faces up to their noses entered the bookmaker’s at about 3.10pm and escaped with cash after demanding staff hand over takings.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed the robbers had been carrying a knife and an axe.

The spokesman said it was believed the raiders fled towards the Holme Wood area of Bradford.

Witnesses or anyone with any information which could assist officers in their inquiries into the incident in Allerton have been asked to contact Detective Constable Chris Hakes, at Airedale and North Bradford CID, on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.

Witnesses or anyone with information on the Tong Street incident have been asked to contact Bradford South CID on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.