After a delivery driver in Leeds perished while attempting to halt the alleged theft of his van, a murder inquiry has been opened.

According to West Yorkshire Police, preliminary investigations indicate that the unidentified victim, who was in his 40s, delivered a delivery on Alliance Street on Tuesday at approximately 6:45 p.m. and when he went back to his van, he discovered a man attempting to take it.

It is known that the driver was employed by a firm that has a partnership with Amazon and was delivering packages for the company.

According to the police, the victim was only partially inside the passenger door of the suspect's car when he drove off quickly after he attempted to stop the theft of his van.

The van, a plain silver Ford Transit Cargo, collided with two parked cars in Heights Drive, Wortley.

The suspect then sped away in the vehicle, leaving the victim injured in the street between the junctions of Heights Way and Heights Bank - up to two minutes away from Alliance Street where the apparent theft started.

The police were called at 6.51pm and officers arrived to find the van owner unconscious with members of the public trying to help him.

He was given emergency treatment by ambulance staff but was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

Police said the van was recovered in Highlands Walk, Belle Isle - about six miles away from Heights Drive.

The force added that the victim's family have been informed of his death and are "completely devastated".

Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle from West Yorkshire Police said the force is carrying out "extensive inquiries" in order to identify the person whose "incredibly dangerous actions were responsible for the death".

He added that officers have spoken to a number of witnesses but are keen to hear from anyone else who might have information that could help the investigation.