These dramatic CCTV pictures show the terrifying moments leading up to a shopkeeper being threatened with a machete in Batley.

Detectives investigating the armed robbery have today released the images to help trace the two men responsible.

The attack happened on Christmas Eve morning when two masked men entered the shop in Bradford Road at 7.30pm and demanded cash, cigarettes and alcohol.

Det Con Mark Willetts, from Kirklees District CID, said: “This was a very frightening experience for the shopkeeper who was fortunately uninjured in the robbery, but has been left understandably shaken by what took place. These men need to be identified and brought before the courts. I would ask people to take a good look at the CCTV footage and if they recognise the men to contact police.”

The first suspect is a white male, around 30 years old with medium build and wearing a beige or light brown coloured coat with a half zip at front, a royal blue coloured hooded top which was worn underneath, as well as gloves and jeans.

The second suspect is an Asian male aged in his 20s to 30s with what appears to be Indian or Pakistani heritage. He is slim with a navy blue coloured hooded top and light grey coloured tracksuit bottoms. He has dark short hair, a very thin, gaunt face, with a long, pointed nose.

CCTV images of robbery in Batley

Police believe the suspect fled in a dark coloured or navy blue Ford Fiesta car which was parked outside for the duration of the incident, which lasted around 18 minutes.

A 51-year-old local man has been arrested as part of enquiries and has been released on police bail.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Willetts at Kirklees CID on 101 and quoting crime reference number 13140498313.

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.