‘Frightening’ attack in Keighley town centre ruins new year fun for female victims (From Keighley News)

‘Frightening’ attack in Keighley town centre ruins new year fun for female victims

11:00am Thursday 10th January 2013 in News By Chris Young

Three women who had just welcomed in the New Year were attacked during a “frightening” mugging in Keighley town centre.

Police are now appealing to other New Year revellers in the town that night, who may have witnessed the crime, to come forward.

It took place early on New Year’s Day and left the three victims with cuts and bruises.

The women, aged 35, 40 and 59, had spent the night celebrating at the New Year’s Eve party of the 101 Club in North Street.

After leaving, they headed to Khan’s takeaway in High Street for food. On the way, at about 3.30am, two men approached them and demanded one of the women hand over a mobile phone. The men, one chubby and one thin, then attacked the women on the corner of North Street and High Street.

A small black shoulder bag was stolen during the mugging, and the women were left with minor injuries. No weapons were involved.

Police want anyone who may have seen two men acting suspiciously in the town centre that night, or witnessed the mugging, to come forward. The suspects were both white, in their early 20s and about 5ft 9in to 6ft tall. They were not known to the women.

One was described as chubby with short, dark hair and wore a black hooded top and dark trousers or jeans. The second was thin, with short, dark, spiky hair and was wearing a black lightweight jacket.

Police think both men were in the Cavendish Street area shortly before the mugging.

DC Deborah Gargon, from Keighley CID, said: “The women were friends who had been out for an evening to celebrate the New Year and hadn’t done anything untoward.

“They hadn’t had any problems on the night out and were just going to get something to eat when they were attacked.

“The injuries were minor and they are all recovering well, but it is a shock when something like this happens when someone is just minding their own business. It is a very frightening thing to happen when they should have been able to enjoy themselves.”

Any witnesses or anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact DC 5392 Gargon at Keighley CID on the non-emergency number 101.