Gunman flees Blackburn post office raid on bicycle

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AN ARMED robber threatened a post office worker with a handgun but fled empty handed — on a bicycle.

Louise Mitchell, who was working at Guide Post Office on her own at the time, has been praised after standing up to the raider.

She refused to hand over any cash and hit a panic alarm, alerting police.

The robber fled on a bicycle which he had left outside the Haslingden Road shop.

The police helicopter scoured the area for an hour. But it is believed he the robber may have switched into another vehicle to escape.

Louise, who is in her late 20s, runs the popular Post Office branch with her father Roy.

Detective Inspector Jill Johnston said the raid had been “incredibly frightening” for Louise.

She said the man pointed the black handgun at Louise, who was behind the counter and a protective screen, and shouted “give me the money from the safe”.

DI Johnston said: “She refused to give him anything.

“She dropped to the floor and pushed a panic button. He then ran out and made off on a push bike.

“It is a really traumatic incident involving a female on her own.

"To be faced with a man brandishing a firearm is frightening for anyone.

“She is shaken up but she is strong and she has her family supporting her.”

The incident took place at around 9.10am, just after the store, which is near to junction five of the M65, had opened.

Police are studying CCTV footage from a camera positioned above the door of the premises.

Witnesses said the raider - wearing all black and with a black hat pulled down over his face - jumped onto the bike and headed into an alley behind the King Edward VII pub.

It is thought that the man then headed towards Belthorn across a footpath over the M65.

Local residents told of their shock at the raid.

One, who asked not to be named, said: “It is very quiet around here so you just don’t expect it to happen.

“Louise must be in a right state.”

Victoria Bithell, who lives in School Lane, said: “I go into that shop everyday.

"Louise is very feisty and I’m not surprised she stood up to him. It is very brave of her.”

Another resident, who lives in Haslingden Road, said: “Louise would not have taken any nonsense.

“I’m amazed anyone tried a robbery at that time of day.

"There would have been plenty of people around, especially traffic passing by.

“I hope the police catch whoever is responsible quickly.”

A spokesman for the post office said they were relived Louise was not injured but said she had been left shaken.

He said: “We hope to re-open the post office today.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.