Village post office targeted by armed raider

Detectives have appealed for information about the incident inside the Tanimara stationery store on Union Street, Harthill.

“We’re okay but pretty shaken up by what happened,” said postmistress Julie Johnson.

“I was in the back at my computer.

“He came in with a knife about 12 inches long and said to my colleague to leave the money draw open.

“She did exactly the right thing and stepped back. He made a grab for the money.

“It was over in a few seconds, he just came in, grabbed and was out. We locked up as soon as it was over.

“But he doesn’t seem to have got much money, we think less than £100. I think most of what he grabbed was empty plastic bags.

“We think he had been waiting around the corner for some customers we had in to leave the store.”

The suspect was wearing dark clothing and had a beige scarf over his face during the incident at about 5.30pm last Friday.

Det Con Vicky Kenny said: “An investigation is under way and as well as house-to-house enquiries, officers are reviewing CCTV and have carried out forensics at the scene.

"Although no-one was injured, staff at the Post Office are incredibly shaken up and are being supported by our officers.

“Were you in the area at the time? Did you see or hear anything suspicious?”

Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 776 of March 23.