Detectives are appealing for witnesses after £20,000 of gold was stolen during a robbery in Birkby.
The incident happened on Thursday 26 April between 12:45 and 13:10 on Sufton Street.
Suspects forced their way into the jewellers after distracting the shop owner. Once inside the premises, there was an altercation between them and the shop owner who was thrown on the floor.
They then proceeded to damage the display cases with sledge hammers and filled large bags with jewellery before fleeing the scene.
They drove off from the scene in a white Ford Transit van which was displaying false registration places.
The vehicle was abandoned behind a row of shops a short distance away and was seized by police. It is thought the suspects then got into a cream or white coloured car and drove along Bradford Road to escape.
The victim sustained minor injuries as a result of the altercation.
The suspects are described as four Asian males and one mixed race.
Detective Constable Robert Brook, of Kirklees CID, said: “This was a frightening situation for the shopkeeper who was confronted by the suspects in the store.
“Fortunately, he sustained minor injuries during the incident, but was left very shaken.
“The suspects made off with a significant amount of jewellery worth around £20,000. I would like to appeal for witnesses who may have been in the area and may have seen the suspects or either of the vehicles near to the scene or driving away.
“I urge anyone with anyone information to contact Kirklees CID via 101 quoting crime reference number 13180198331.”
Information can also be reported to police via the Webchat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
