Police were today hunting armed raiders who threatened staff at a village post office with baseball bats before making off with a haul of cash.
Three men burst into Kirby Cross Post Office and Stores in Thorpe Road just after it had opened up for business.
There were two women members of staff on duty and a number of customers in the shop when they struck just after 9am yesterday.
Robbery scene : co-owner Tim Bryan of Kirby Cross Post Office where the raiders struck. Picture: STEVE BAINBRIDGE
One of the raiders jumped on to the counter, tried to get through a gap in the anti-bandit screen and demanded the money.
Once he had the cash the three fled the store and made their escape in a waiting car which headed off towards Walton.
It was later found abandoned.
Det Sgt Richard Bowler of Clacton CID said it was a terrifying experience for the employees.
"Neither woman was injured in the robbery but they were both extremely shaken up by what happened," he said.
"They will be contacted by victim support to offer them help. They felt very threatened during the raid."
Det Sgt Bowler said officers had made extensive house-to-house inquiries and had spoken to a number of witnesses.
"We believe there is a strong possibility this was a planned robbery and these men may have been in the area of the shop previously," he added.
"We have established that the dark Volvo car in which they made their escape was not parked outside when they entered the post office and someone may have seen it and the driver nearby.
The Volvo, registration number T75 KNT, was later recovered by police. It was stolen from Kent earlier this month.
The first robber was black and in his early 20s, about 6ft tall. He was of medium build and wore a dark woollen hat and scarf, which was pulled up around his neck, a dark puffer-style jacket and jeans.
The second man was white and of a similar age and build wearing dark clothing.
The other robber in the store was white, 5ft 7ins, of slight build and in his mid-20s. He had a scarf around the lower part of his face and also wore a woollen hat and lighter coloured jacket.
Anyone who can help police should contact 01255 221312.
Published Tuesday, December 17, 2002
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