On this day in Yorkshire 1948: Bonfire Night Raiders Take Jewel Safe

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Thieves grab 15,000 club smokes

Evening Post Reporter STANLEY VAUGHAN

In two bonfire night raids in Leeds, thieves stole a two-cwt. safe containing jewellery and clothing from a house at Adel, and 15,000 Christmas cigarettes from a club in North Street.

RAID No. 1 was at the home of Mr. Ernest Duffield, Yorkshire Copper Works managing director, Long Causeway. Adel.

The thieves put the safe into a car, which they apparently pushed to the main road before starting the engine. At least three men are believed have taken part.

They entered the house by smashing a pane of glass in a study window.

A few minutes before they got away Mrs. Duffield heard a noise which she believed to the crack of a firework.

In the safe were many personal papers, a family Bible more than 200 years old, a tin containing precious uncut stones, jewellery, gold sovereigns and a gold presentation watch.

C.I.D. men found cigarette ends at the front door — the butts of cigarettes taken from a desk in the lounge.

Mr. Duffield said: “The thieves carried the safe down two steps into the lounge and went out through the front door. We found the door open.

RAID No. 2 was at North Social Billiards and Temperance Club where thieves smashed a front door lock with a poker and took 15,000 cigarettes from a steel cabinet.

The cigarettes were being saved for Christmas.