Police in Bradford are warning motorists to keep their car doors locked after three incidents yesterday when vehicles were targeted while their drivers were sat stationary in traffic.
At about 9.45pm yesterday (Wednesday) a 34-year-old woman was sat in her Audi TT car at traffic lights in Barkerend Road at the junction with Killinghall Road, when a group of males approached and opened the driver's door.
They told her to remove her seatbelt, before a struggle ensued and they ran off with her handbag containing her mobile phone and a quantity of cash.
The woman suffered minor bruising, but was otherwise unhurt.
The suspects were described as three males with hooded tops pulled down to cover their faces and were believed to be Asian.
Police later became aware of an earlier incident at the same location, where a man had tried to open the driver's door of a black Seat Leon while the male driver was stationary at traffic lights.
This is believed to have occurred about 20 minutes earlier.
The man is described as Asian. He was thought to be about six feet tall of slim build and was wearing an orange hooded top.
Yesterday morning at about 7.45am, a 21-year-old woman was sat in her black VW Golf at traffic lights in Marlborough Road, when a man opened the passenger door and pointed a small knife at her before telling her to get out.
The car was then driven off towards Manningham Lane.
The suspect was described as white and was wearing a black hooded top which was pulled over his face. He was believed to have fair-coloured facial stubble and spoke with a Yorkshire accent.
Police are not currently linking this incident to the ones in the Killinghall Road area.
Detective Sergeant Andy Simpson, of Bradford District CID, said:
"These type of incidents are thankfully quite rare in Bradford District, but they serve as a reminder to motorists to keep their doors locked and windows closed when stationary in traffic.
"Motorists can be vulnerable when sat stationary in traffic, so by keeping your car secure you can prevent opportunist incidents like these.
"Enquiries are continuing today into these incidents and anyone with information is asked to contact Bradford District CID on 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers who can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111."
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