Renewed witness appeal after armed robbers strike at West Suffolk post offices

Police are renewing an appeal for witnesses after two men armed with a pistol and hammer attempted to rob a post office in Badwell Ash before stealing cash, cigarettes and tobacco from a post office in Stanton.

Detectives are linking the attempted robbery and robbery which were on Saturday, January 31.

The first was at about 7:10am at the post office, in The Street, Badwell Ash, when two men armed with what was described as a pistol, entered the post office as it was opening and demanded money from a member of staff.

The member of staff ran from the premises and he was followed by the offenders - who left in the direction of Hunston, although they did not take anything from the store.

Both men are described as white and wearing balaclavas.

The first man was about 5ft 8in tall, wearing a dark blue hoody with green/yellow gloves, dark trousers, black shoes and carrying a white cotton bag with a pin hammer.

The second man was wearing a black and grey hoody with grey sleeves, black trousers and carrying a small black handgun.

It is believed that they were driving an older style dark blue Peugeot.

The second incident took place at about 7:35am at the post office in The Street, Stanton.

Two men, matching the description above, entered the store armed with a small handgun and a hammer and stole £100 in cash, along with 200 cigarettes and some tobacco which they put in a white bag.

The robberies are also being linked to two further incidents involving vehicle crimes.

Overnight between Friday, January 30 and Saturday, January 31, in Rougham Road, Bradfield St George, an attempt was made to break into a car on a drive by smashing a window, although nothing was stolen.

This was followed by the theft of a blue Peugeot 306, registration V167 KWK, which was stolen from outside a property in Oakey Ley, Bradfield St George, on the same night.

At 10.30pm yesterday, police were notified by the fire service about a car which had been set alight in Chapel Lane, Wattisfield.

This has now been confirmed as the stolen Peugeot 306 from Bradfield St George.

Acting Detective Inspector Ann Naylor, of Bury St Edmunds CID, said: “I am appealing for anyone with information about these crimes to come forward. These robberies were very distressing for the members of staff involved and we are determined to catch those responsible for them.

“Anyone who witnessed any suspicious persons or vehicles in and around either Badwell Ash or Stanton on Saturday morning is urged to contact police.

“I would also appeal for anyone who may have information in connection to the stolen car to get in touch with our detectives.

“This includes witnessing any suspicious activity in Bradfield St George on Friday night into Saturday morning, in Wattisfield last night, or anyone who may have seen a car matching that description in another location over the past five days.”

Calls should be made to Bury St Edmunds CID on 101 quoting reference BR/15/96, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.