Detectives in Kirklees are involved in a huge hunt for an armed gang targeting high-performance cars.
They and other officers across West Yorkshire are hunting men who have struck at least six times.
The raids occurred at addresses in Bradford, Leeds and Kirklees on Monday and Tuesday this week and involved males with face coverings armed with weapons including knives, screwdrivers and pool cues.
One raid was in Woodlands Crescent in Gomersal at about 6.40pm on Monday, where a silver VW Golf GTi was taken from a driveway after two men threatened a 42-year-old man with a knife.
The men are believed to have been accompanied by two other men in dark clothing, who left the scene in another vehicle.
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Two hours later at an address in Tyersal Park, a blue Vauxhall Insignia was stolen after a man was threatened with a screwdriver and punched. This was followed by an incident in Bolton Drive, Bradford at about 10pm, where a silver Mercedes A200 was taken after threats were made to the occupants.
At 6pm on Tuesday, four men forced entry into a property in Lumb Bottom, Drighlington and made threats to the occupants before taking a black Audi A4 estate car.
A similar incident occurred in Langley Lane, Shipley at about 7pm, when three men in balaclavas broke into a house and threatened the occupants before taking an Audi Q7. This was recovered by police in Laisterdyke a short time later.
Then at 9pm, four men entered a house in Rooks Close, Wyke, where a woman was punched in the face before the keys were stolen to a silver Mercedes E250 car.
Det Chief Insp Gary Hooks said: “There are a number of similarities involved in each of these incidents and a team of specialist detectives is investigating these under one large-scale inquiry.
“Enquiries are at an early stage with regard to who the suspects might be and any vehicles which may have been used, but officers are already following up a number of leads.
“The level of violence used in these offences is clearly of concern and we are committed to keeping the public safe”.
Anyone who can help should contact Bradford CID on 101, or to contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.”
In unrelated investigations, police would like to speak to the people pictured in the image gallery below. The people pictured in the images may be witnesses as well as suspects. If you recognise anyone, contact police on 101 quoting the reference number on the image caption.
