A MAN has spoken of the terrifying moment he and a friend intervened when a balaclava-clad group armed with weapons set about a man earlier today.

Nafees Ahmed, 34, said he and his colleague were walking up Leeds Road when the shocking incident unfolded. 

He said they looked down Seymour Street to see around eight men, armed with weapons and wearing balaclavas, beating another man up.

Mr Ahmed said it looked like they had stolen a "large amount of cash" from a BMW. 

He said: "They were hitting the guy and I shouted at them and then called the police at the same time.

"One of the lads got into to BMW to drive it off but crashed it into the wall.

"They all then got into their cars and then fled the scene after we shouted at them.

"The man was injured with cuts to his face and head."

Mr Ahmed said his friend was almost knocked over as an attempt was made to drive the BMW away. 

He added the injured man said he works nearby and was heading to the bank. 

"If we hadn't intervened then this man may have had some fatal injuries," Mr Ahmed said. 

Emergency services were scrambled to the scene

A member of the public told the Telegraph & Argus that the air ambulance had landed at nearby Seymour Park, off Upper Seymour Street, although it is understood to have left the scene shortly after 2.15pm.

When the Telegraph & Argus visited the scene, the BMW could be seen with its back end nestled against a wall. 

The windscreen on the four-door saloon was shattered, with damage consistent with a significant impact.

Meanwhile, the front passenger side window was also smashed, while cracks could be seen on the car's rear bumper.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Police were called to the junction of Mount Street and Seymour Street in Bradford at 1.31pm today to a report of a BMW car which had collided with a wall.

"Enquiries are continuing but this is now believed to be linked to a report of an armed robbery at commercial premises in Leeds Road, which is reported to have happened at around 1pm today.

"A large quantity of cash is believed to have been taken in the incident, which allegedly involved males in two vehicles and a firearm, which is not thought to have been discharged.

"A 40-year-old male was treated for minor injuries and two vehicles found a short distance away have been recovered for further investigation.

"Enquiries are continuing and anyone who may be able to assist enquiries is asked to contact Bradford District CID on 101, quoting crime reference 13180403766, or use the live chat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website.

Information can also be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."