Postmistress tells of shotgun terror

A SUFFOLK postmistress today told how shotgun-wielding raiders smashed her protective glass screen and demanded cash from her during an armed robbery today.

Postmistress Patricia Ford said she was behind the counter when three men entered her store in High Street, Nayland, around 9.30am.

After storming into the shop one of the men shattered the glass with a baseball bat and threatened Mrs Ford, before the men fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

Reliving the ordeal Mrs Ford said: "They were carrying a gun that may, or may not, have been real, a baseball bat which was the thing I was most scared of because that is what they smashed the screen with.

"One of them also had an iron bar, which was about two foot long. They were only young men."

At the time of the armed raid, which was timed to coincide with pension day, there were three or four customers in the shop.

Mrs Ford said she would like to thank them for keeping calm and added: "I am not sure I would have been that brave. I was very scared at the time but now I am absolutely fine."

Pamela Wilson, who lives opposite the post office said: "They (the raiders) must have known it was pension day today. The first I knew of it was when I was going out to the post office and I saw the police outside.

Acting detective sergeant John Gibbons said: "We have found the red Sierra abandoned in a field just outside the village on the way to Polstead."

Although DS Gibbons would not be drawn, it is believed the robbers had another car waiting for them as they made their getaway and discarded the Sierra while fleeing the area.

The Sierra had been stolen from an address in Great Waldingfield, near Sudbury, yesterday.

Suffolk police confirmed no shots were fired during the hold-up.

Scenes of crime officers were due at the post office during the day as the search for forensic clues began.

Today's robbery comes two weeks to the day after armed robbers were foiled in a raid on the post office in Haughley.

Detectives are still hunting masked thieves who demanded cash from two female employees after entering the store at 9.55am.

They were said to have been armed with a large hammer, shotgun and a scythe-like weapon.

They left the shop empty-handed as two female employees raised the alarm.

A red Ford Sierra stolen from Bridge Street in Stowmarket earlier that day was used as a getaway car and dumped shortly after the robbery in Dagworth Lane. Police believe they switched cars close to the A14 Tothill Services and fled from the area.

If you have information about either of these two robberies which would help police telephone 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.