Masked robbers in raid on Gateshead post office

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MASKED raiders fled with cash after hiding in the back of a post office before pouncing on the terrified postmaster after he opened his shop.

The three balaclava-clad robbers lay in wait in the back room, at Greenside Post Office, Gateshead.

And when Ian McIntosh opened the door that separates the public shop area from the back offices, one of the thugs jumped on him from the top of the stairs and wrestled him to the ground.

Ian, 55, was held down for long enough for his attacker’s two accomplices to clear out the safe, and flee with the cash.

Today, as police hunt the robbers, Ian’s wife Denise, who was visiting her husband at the time of the raid, has told the Chronicle of their ordeal.

The 54-year-old said: “They must have been lying in wait for him. It’s more of a shock than anything else.”

Ian opened the shop at 9am yesterday as he does every day.

As normal he kept the door between the back offices and the shop floor locked. But it was when he went to the back room that he was attacked in front of his wife.

“They must have entered through the rear of the premises and waited,” she explained.

“There are a few steps up between the shop and the back office and one of them was standing at the top, so he had the advantage in height.

“He just leapt on top of him and restrained him by putting his foot on his leg. It took me a couple of seconds to realise what was happening.

“I just ran out the shop to call the police.”

As Denise raced to get help, Ian was held on the ground while the post office safe was cleared out.

She said her husband was shaken, but the post office will reopen on Tuesday.

“We have been here 10 years and you don’t think about it,” she added. “You just have to get on with work and do what you do.”

Marjorie Crossling, 68, whose daughter Judith Steele, 39, also works at the post office, said the raid had left her terrified.

“I feel really sorry for Ian, but I have always worried about Judith working in the post office on her own,” she said.

“Nowhere is safe any more.”

The raiders are believed to have fled the scene in a black Vauxhall car.

Yesterday police were at the post office, on Lead Road, throughout the day.

And officers investigating the raid, which happened shortly before 9.30am, are now appealing for witnesses.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “Officers were informed of the incident at 9.26am today [Friday].

“It is believed the three men, wearing balaclavas, got into the shop via a rear entrance and left the scene in a black Vauxhall car.”

The first man is described as being 5ft 8in tall and was carrying a black bag.

The second man is around 6ft 2in tall and the third man as approximately 6ft tall.

Witnesses should call 0345 604 3043 ext 69191 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111