11.45pm: POLICE investigating a knifepoint robbery where two women were threatened in a York house earlier today have arrested a man.

North Yorkshire Police said a man in his twenties was arrested tonight in connection with the robbery and is currently in custody for questioning. However, detectives are still looking for anybody who saw the crime or a man matching the description of the robber to contact them.

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9pm: A MANHUNT has been launched after a knife man broke into a York house today and threatened two women.

The robber struck in Layerthorpe between 4pm and 4.30pm today, forcing his way into the house past a woman in her 60s and threatening to tie her and her elderly mother up.

He forced the younger woman to go with him to the cash machine at the nearby Asda supermarket, where he made her withdraw a small amount of money before escaping on her red Raleigh bike. A dedicated squad of officers has been detailed to the search for the robber, with the area being searched on foot and by dog-handlers, CCTV being studied and door-to-door enquiries being carried out.

Detective Inspector Andrea Kell of York CID said: "This is an appalling crime against an elderly woman and her daughter and whoever is responsible must be caught.

"I am appealing for anybody who has any information to contact the police urgently. If you know who is responsible and know their whereabouts, please call us without delay. We also urge anybody who finds an abandoned red bicycle to contact us."

"Neither of the victims was physically injured, but they have been extremely shaken up and distressed by what happened."

The robber is white, in his 20s to 40s, with dark close-cut hair, and he spoke with a local accent. He was wearing a grey top with navy arms and shoulders, navy jogging trousers and white trainers.

Detectives have appealed for anybody who was in the area at the time, particularly on Layerthorpe or around the Asda store, and saw a man matching the description of the robber to contact them.

Tweets from the police earlier today initially said the force had begun a search for a man who was reported to be carrying a knife and had been seen in the Layerthorpe area, with full details of the robbery emerging tonight.

If you saw the crime or have any information about it, phone York CID on 101 or email YorkCID@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. Anybody who knows who the knifeman is should phone 999, and information can also be passed to Crimestoppers by phoning 0800 555111 and quoting reference number 12140049993.