Guardian News
Man struck with torch in village post office raid
12:10pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012
THE owners of Goostrey’s Post Office have spoken of their anguish after suffering a second break-in in three months.
Margaret Kettle, 89, was unharmed, but her son Robert, 56, was hit across the head with a torch after he tackled the raiders.
Police were called at 2.50am on Sunday to the property on Main Road to reports of three offenders in the premises.
They forced their way through the front door and went upstairs into the living quarters, and Robert was injured after confronting the men.
Another man stole a handbag containing cash belonging to Margaret.
Margaret, who has lived in the premises for 51 years, runs the post office with Robert for 12 hours a week.
She told the Guardian she believed it was the same men who ransacked the downstairs of the property in December who were responsible for the latest raid.
“My brother who lives next door said he saw a car in the precinct opposite at 1am and they were parked up, but he thought it was a resident’s car and didn’t think anything about it,” she said.
“In December, the office was ransacked downstairs, but this time they came straight upstairs, so we have an idea they have come back to have a go again.
“We have a strong door between the premises and the house yet they bust it and broke the latch.
“Robert was hit on the side of the face and there was blood, but he is all right and one of them pushed past me to get to my handbag.
“They asked where the safe was, but we don’t have one. We run the office part time so the Post Office brings it [the cash] here and takes it all away – there’s nothing here.
“It’s not how it used to be. We’ve never had any trouble but of course it’s desperate times now and they didn’t care what they did to the premises.”
The three offenders escaped in a black vehicle believed to be a four-door saloon.
The only description available of the men is that they wore dark clothing and balaclavas and one of them had a strong Liverpool accent.
Margaret’s bag, along with her cheque book and notebook, have been found in Liverpool.
Insp Mark Gammage said: “This is the second time the post office has been targeted, and we are doing everything we can to catch the offenders.
“We have also increased patrols in the area to provide reassurance, and would appeal to local residents to be vigilant.
“Anyone who sees cars or people acting suspicious in the area should contact police on 101.”
Anyone with information regarding the burglary should contact Det Con Tim Humpage quoting incident 178 of February 19, 2012.
Information can be given anonymously on the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.