A murder investigation has been launched after a delivery driver was killed as his vehicle was stolen.
The man was found seriously injured following the incident in Heights Drive, Wortley on Tuesday evening. Members of the public tried to help the unconscious man, who was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after police arrived.
West Yorkshire Police says initial enquiries suggest the victim - a man in his 40s - had delivered a package to an address around half a mile away in Alliance Street at around 6.45pm and returned to his silver Ford Transit Cargo van to find a man attempting to steal it.
A spokesperson for the force said when he tried to stop them, the man drove off at speed, with the victim only partly in the passenger door of the vehicle. The van then collided with two parked cars in Heights Drive and was driven away, leaving the victim injured between the junctions of Heights Way and Heights Bank.
West Yorkshire Police says the victim's family has been informed. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle said: “Our investigation remains at an early stage but, based on what we currently know, this appears to be a truly shocking incident where the victim has been killed while going about his business as a parcel delivery driver.
“His family has been informed and they are completely devastated about what has happened. We are working to support them at what is a really difficult time and are doing everything we can to get them the answers they need. We are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances and to identify the person whose incredibly dangerous actions have been responsible for causing his death.
“We have spoken to a number of witnesses but are still very keen to hear from anyone who witnessed any part of this incident. That appeal covers the circumstances of the van being stolen in Alliance Street at about 6.45pm; the journey it took along Heights Drive to where the victim was found; its movements as it fled the scene there; and its movements before being found abandoned in Highlands Walk in Belle Isle, which is about six miles away.
“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who has seen the suspect in the van at any point after it was stolen or when it was abandoned, and we ask that people who were in the vicinity of any part of this incident check their dashcam, doorbell and home CCTV footage to see if they have caught anything that could assist the investigation.
“People will be understandably appalled by this man’s death in these circumstances, and I want to reassure them that we are absolutely determined to find the person responsible.”
Anyone with any information, or anyone who may have witnessed any part of the incident, is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team at West Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting Operation Proscombe or the crime reference number 13240455080.