POLICE have warned criminals will continue to see rural post offices as an easy target.Det Insp Stuart Hudson was speaking at Hacheston – the latest in a string of Suffolk country post offices to be hit in a raid in which robbers gagged and bound the terrified postmaster.

POLICE have warned criminals will continue to see rural post offices as an easy target.

Det Insp Stuart Hudson was speaking at Hacheston – the latest in a string of Suffolk country post offices to be hit in a raid in which robbers gagged and bound the terrified postmaster.

He said: "It's always worrying when small rural post offices are attacked.

"From a policing point of view, we will do everything we can to protect them whenever possible.

"Criminals will always see small shops as an easier target in isolated rural communities."

The post office in the picturesque village of Hacheston was targeted by robbers just four months ago.

Det Insp Hudson admitted the culprits from that robbery had not yet been caught, but said nothing had emerged to link the two crimes.

Postmaster Graham Westley was left hooded and tied to window bars with his hands and mouth taped in the latest vicious attack at around 9am yesterday.

Det Insp Hudson said Mr Westley had been left very shaken up by the assault, in which he was also threatened with what police think was a knife.

The policeman appealed for anyone with any information to come forward.

He said: "Considering the time of day, there must have been lots of people on the school run.

"It's a busy time of the morning. People might have seen someone going into the shop or getting in or out of a car."

Police are hunting two men. The first was 5ft 11in, white and with dark cropped hair.

He was wearing a dark pullover-style fleece with the hood up, blue tracksuit trousers and brown suede-style trainers which were muddy and seemed a little oversized.

The second man was wearing dark clothing. Anyone with information should contact police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.