Man held after two knifepoint robberies in Pontefract

A police spokesman said a 32-year-old man from Pontefract was arrested on suspicion of robbery last night and remains in custody this morning.

In the first incident a man was slashed after he tried to grab a knife-wielding robber during an attack in Valley Gardens at around 10pm on Saturday, April 18.

Less than ten hours later, a woman was also robbed at knifepoint in a car park on Halfpenny Lane at around 7.20am on Sunday.

In the Valley Gardens attack, the victim was confronted by a man holding a knife who demanded cash.

The victim tried to grab the suspect and was cut on his left hand. He then fled down a ginnel and was chased by the suspect who again demanded cash.

The robber eventually left with a small amount of money.

In the Halfpenny Lane attack, a woman was threatened with a knife in a car park at around 7.20am on Sunday.

The suspect demanded her handbag before making off with it.

Anyone with information should contact Wakefield CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111.