STAFF at working men's clubs have been urged to be extra vigilant after two clubs were targeted by armed robbers.

The thieves have struck at clubs in Liversedge and Batley over the last few days and may strike again.

Police are now looking at possible links between the armed robbery at Millbridge Working Men's Club on Bennett Street in Liversedge at about 1am on Easter Monday and an attempted raid at Staincliffe WMC on Halifax Road in Staincliffe, Batley, on Monday, March 21, at 1.45am - exactly a week before.

Both crimes happened in the early hours of the morning as staff were finishing clearing up or preparing to leave.

Det Insp Bob Davies, of Dewsbury CID, said: "We would urge staff at clubs to be extra vigilant, especially late at night when they are about to leave the premises.

"Check outside and if you see anything suspicious call the police."

In the Millbridge raid a 61-year-old woman was left bruised and a male colleague was thumped in the face.

Four staff members were finishing clearing up when the gang of three or four robbers struck after forcing their way in through a locked back door.

They were carrying knives, crowbars and demanded cash.

The terrified victims were threatened and forced to open the safe.

The raiders emptied it along with cash from the tills.

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.

Club secretary Maurice Sturgeon said: "I am going to phone the area secretary to have all working men's clubs put on alert."

Two quick-thinking staff members foiled the attempted raid on Staincliffe Working Men's Club.

As they left they saw two balaclava-clad men standing in the car park and one was armed with a small axe.

The man who had left the club turned around to flee to safety and was struck on his back with the back of the axe.

The woman ran to a nearby petrol station to summon help.

The two masked men ran away into fields.

Anyone with information about either crime should contact Dewsbury police helpdesk on 01924 431059.