Gunman batters guard in Laisterdyke post office cash snatch

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A Royal Mail worker was injured when he was assaulted by a gunman in broad daylight during the morning rush hour in an armed robbery as he made a cash delivery at a Bradford post office.

The security staff employee was punched in the face by an armed suspect who grabbed a cash box containing an unknown amount of money. The robber was holding a black handgun, but the weapon was not used or discharged.

The 46-year-old male member of staff and a colleague were making a planned delivery to the Sticker Lane Post Office in Laisterdyke, at 9am yesterday when the robbers struck.

He had taken one cash box to the post office and had returned to the security van for a second one when he was confronted.

The robber demanded that he opened the cash box, but the guard refused and was thumped. He suffered minor injuries and was badly shaken, but did not need hospital treatment.

The raider grabbed the cash box and fled, with an accomplice, who is thought to have been acting as a lookout nearby and may have been armed with a knife.

They ran to a stolen black Ford Fiesta car, which had been parked behind the parade of shops. It was driven to nearby Keswick Street, where it was found abandoned, with its passenger door open. It is believed the raiders then got into a second vehicle to make their escape.

Detectives are urging anyone who saw the car being dumped in Keswick Street and the robbers fleeing, to get in touch.

Detective Inspector Ian Bryar, of Bradford South CID, said: “The cash delivery man suffered minor injuries, but, thankfully, nobody has been seriously hurt.

“This robbery took place at rush hour in the morning, when parents were taking their children to school, on a busy main road. There would have been many passing motorists and members of the public who must have seen the robbery taking place, and we would urge anyone with any information whatsoever to come forward.”

It is thought the security man walked into the road to escape his attacker, and motorists may have seen what happened at close hand.

Det Insp Bryar added: “It must have been very frightening for people to see this incident in the middle of the road. They may hold vital clues, and we urge them to come forward.”

The two suspects were both white males, in their twenties. The man who stole the cash box spoke with a local accent and was wearing a balaclava. His accomplice wore a hat.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Bradford South CID on 0845 6060606, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

DI Bryar added: “Many were travelling to work or school and some motorists in the area had to take evasive action to avoid a collision with these men.

“I would therefore like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed this take place