Man quizzed over post office robbery

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DETECTIVES were questioning a man today after a trio of robbers struck at a village post office – the fourth raid in the area in the past three weeks.

Three masked men targeted Shotley Gate Post Office and Stores at just before 5pm yesterday, threatening the three staff and escaping with cash.

It is the latest in a string of robberies at post offices across east Suffolk this month, following raids in Debenham, Hacheston and Ipswich.

No weapons were seen during last night's raid, carried out by three men who wore balaclavas or hooded tops.

They forced a male member of staff and two women, to hand over cash and fled the Bristol Hill premises. They made their getaway in a small, dark-coloured car which headed towards Ipswich.

Staff at the post office were too distressed to talk about the raid, although the male worker involved told the Star today that he was back at work, and the other two women were expected in soon.

Suffolk police said one man had been arrested and was being questioned by detectives. The spokesperson said it was too early to tell whether the robbery was linked to other similar raids.

Robbers struck at Christchurch Street Post Office in Ipswich on December 23, threatening staff with guns before fleeing empty-handed. Five days earlier, two men – one of whom was carrying a shotgun – raided a post office in Hacheston, near Wickham Market, and left with cash.

It was the third time the village post office had been targeted this year, and it had also been the victim of a burglary. Three weeks ago, two men raided a post office in Debenham. Each of the raids happened just before 5pm.

Three youths arrested in connection with an attempted robbery at P&G Stores in Orford Street, Ipswich, at 5.45pm on October 21, are today due to answer bail.

Suffolk police appealed for anyone who witnessed the latest robbery, saw anyone acting suspiciously or has any other information to contact them on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.