ROBBERS who burst into a working men's club terrified staff into opening a safe.
The armed and masked raiders, who attacked Millbridge Working Men's Club on Bennett Street in Liversedge, manhandled a 61-year-old woman and thumped a man in the face.
Four staff members were finishing clearing up when the gang of three or four robbers struck just before 1am on Monday.
The thieves forced their way in through a locked back door, grabbed hold of the woman and hit her colleague.
They were carrying knives and crowbars and demanded cash. The terrified victims were forced to open the safe and the raiders emptied it along with cash from the tills.
A rock and roll group from Barnsley called Juke Box Jive had been playing the club on Monday night and had left just minutes before the robbers struck.
Club secretary Maurice Sturgeon said: "All the staff have been badly shaken by what's happened.
"I've been here 10 years and we've never had any problems before. It's really upset us all."
After the raid the thieves fled on to nearby Huddersfield Road and drove away in an estate car, possibly a VW Passat or an Audi.
Anyone who saw them arriving, escaping, or has any information about the robbers, should contact Dewsbury police helpdesk on 01924 431059.
He said the gang had grabbed the 61-year-old woman so hard they left bruise marks on her arm.
"It was a very frightening experience for them all," added Mr Sturgeon.
After the raid the thieves fled on to nearby Huddersfield Road and drove away in an estate car, possibly a VW Passat or an Audi.
Anyone who saw them arriving, escaping or has any information about the robbers should contact Dewsbury police helpdesk on 01924 431059.
