An armed robber has struck at a Horsforth travel agents – the second time the shop has been targeted in three weeks.

Police are appealing for information after the robbery at Thomson’s in Town Street and they are looking at whether the two incidents are linked.

In both robberies – exactly three weeks apart – staff were threatened by a man armed with a knife.

The latest raid happened at about 4.30pm on Tuesday, when a man threatened two female members of staff and demanded they open the safe.

The safe was on a time delay and could not be opened immediately so he took a substantial amount of cash from a till – including US dollars, euros and pounds.

The robber, who ran off towards Broadgate Lane, is described as white, about 5ft 10ins, stocky and aged in his mid-30s to early 40s. He was wearing a black fleece jacket, grey or sandy cargo pants and white trainers. He also wore a black woolly hat, black fleece gloves and had a black fleece scarf covering the lower part of this face.

Detectives are looking at whether the incident is linked to a similar robbery at the premises on March 11.

Detective Inspector John Dexter, of Leeds District CID, said: “Staff at the shop have been left very upset by this robbery, particularly given how close it has happened to the previous incident.

“We are conducting extensive enquiries and looking into whether both incidents are linked. We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area around the time and saw anyone acting suspiciously.

“It was a very warm afternoon yesterday and someone in a fleece jacket, woolly hat and scarf would have stood out.

“Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team are mounting additional patrols in the area to reassure residents and local businesses, and specialist crime prevention officers will be liaising with the premises to offer advice.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Weetwood police station on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.