A THWARTED gang of would-be jewel thieves went on to terrorise motorists in a series of car-jackings as they attempted to make their escape.

The masked raiders struck at a jewellers in Harrogate early on Thursday (December 4), but fled empty-handed after the alarm was raised.

They escaped in a grey van which they then abandoned near the town’s Valley Gardens before transferring to a waiting car.

The gang then sped on to Leeds where they were involved in a number of car-jackings as they drove into the city.

Police in both North and West Yorkshire have joined forces to track down the gang and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The drama began at around 8.35am when three men wearing balaclavas smashed their way into Fattorini’s, a jewellery shop on Parliament Street, in Harrogate.

They fled after a member of staff raised the alarm, driving off in a grey van which they abandoned near the Valley Gardens.

However just over an hour later the gang were involved in a series of car-jackings in the Kirkstall Road area of Leeds.

Two vehicles were stolen from their owners in separate incidents and attempts were also made to steal a further three vehicles.

It was reported that the gang were armed with an axe and an iron bar and that one man was even dragged from his Vauxhall Corsa.

One witness tweeted: “I just felt like I was on Grand Theft Auto. Not every day do you see four guys jump out of a van and drag someone out their car to then drive off.”

Detective Inspector Nichola Holden of Harrogate CID said: “Understandably, the public will be concerned by the chain of events however I would like to reassure people that we are doing everything we can to locate the suspects as soon as possible.”

She added: “If you have any information that can help to identify the suspects please call the police or Crimestoppers. It is important that if you have any footage or images of any of the incidents that have taken place you share it with us. ”

Detective Inspector Ian Lawrence, of Leeds CID, added: "Wide-ranging enquiries to trace these offenders are ongoing at the moment and we are liaising with other police forces.”

He added: "These incidents will have been seen by a number of people and I would appeal for anyone who witnessed any of these events to contact us."

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.