CCTV checks for post office raiders

POLICE are today carrying out forensic tests and reviewing CCTV in the hope of tracing thieves who smashed their way into a village shop to steal cash and cigarettes.

Meanwhile the owner of East Bergholt Post Office and Store which was targeted on Monday has said the raids were inevitable and he was waiting for them to happen.

Two men are believed to have used a sledgehammer around 10pm on Saturday to smash open the door of the shop after it closed.

They were caught on CCTV and detectives are hopeful that the footage will provide leads to help catch the thieves, who escaped in a maroon-coloured car towards Gaston Street and into Hadleigh Road.

However a spokeswoman for Suffolk police said that the footage will not be released for the public to see as it was likely to increase the fear of crime.

Shop owner, Alec Gardiner said they had been waiting for the raid since the clocks went back at the end of October.

He said: “We had an armed robbery about the same time last year. It is something we have come to expect.

“We have been sending our teenage staff members home early to keep them out of harm's way in case the robbery had been violent like it was last year.

“Of course just because we have been hit in this way does not mean we won't be hit again.

“There is a climate of apprehension rather than fear - we won't stop retailing because that would be letting them win.”

One of the men who took part in the raid is described as wearing tracksuit trousers and a light-coloured top.

The second man is described as wearing a dark top, trousers and a balaclava.

It is thought a third man is shown on CCTV footage outside the store but it is not known if he was involved.

Anyone who has any information is asked to contact Dc John Peddelty at Hadleigh CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Did you see the crime take place? Call the Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk