Eyewitness to Boots Kirkstall robbery describes terrifying scene as police make arrests

The man, who wanted to remain anonymous, was sitting in a car in the parking spot in front of the store in Kirkstall Retail Park in Savins Mill Way.

He said: "I was parked in the parking spot directly in front of the doors of Boots waiting for my other half.

"As she got into our car I went to reverse out.

"Just then a car screamed up behind me and blocked me in.

"One guy got out on my side dressed all in black, masked up with a machete and stood guard as several guys dressed the same and did a full raid of the perfume section of Boots."

Four men, who were armed with weapons including metal bars, entered the shop and smashed up perfume cabinets, according to West Yorkshire Police.

It happened at around 6.30pm on Wednesday, January 27.

Officers are considering if there is any link to a similar robbery at the Boots store at Crown Point Retail Park on December 8.

The eyewitness added: "Although I was directly in front of the store my view was pretty limited.

"My partner could see that there were two cars involved in the raid .

"Because I was blocked in I couldn't see this but my other half had a better view.

"The guys who went actually into the store just ran in and just ran riot in front of the people who were trapped inside.

"They were tooled up with metal bars and I believe one had a short crowbar.

"They loaded everything into a builders maxi bag - the type you get builders sand delivered in - and loaded into the back of the larger car and sped off.

"Being honest, I was more worried for the staff - no one needs to deal with this kind of thing."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and a man aged 20 and a 35-year-old woman were all arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

"All have been released under investigation and enquiries are ongoing."

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