Post Office u-turn over Cefn Mawr robbery hero's £9k payment

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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POST Office management have performed an abrupt u-turn over their threat to make a have-a-go hero postmaster pay £9,000 after a violent robbery.

Cefn Mawr postmaster David Taylor was stunned this week to receive a letter from the Post Office threatening to make him pay back £8,835 as a result of a raid by three armed robbers.

Mr Taylor, 46, suffered a fractured skull in the attack at his village store on July 16 as he tried to raise the alarm.

His wife, Janine, 45, was bundled to the floor by a man waving a gun in the air while a third man brandished a meat cleaver.

But despite his valiant efforts to fight off the gang he was told that he was liable because “security procedures seem not to have been followed”

But after a storm of media interest and anger in the local community the Post Office last night climbed down.

Lib Dem Assembly Member Eleanor Burnham said: “I feel so sorry for him.

“It’s a disgraceful thing to happen and I hope the Post Office has some spark of charity in it and changes its mind.

“Postmasters are intensely committed people and are vital to their communities. Mr Taylor should have been commended not threatened.”

In response last night a short statement simply said: “This was a shocking robbery and we are absolutely not going to be asking Mr Taylor to make any payment.”

Mr Taylor had not been informed of the change of heart when the Daily Post contacted him last night.

But he said he was pleased common sense had prevailed.

He added: “I can take anything but it’s my wife who’s been mentally scared and this hasn’t helped her at all.

“I’m very protective of my family and that’s what has got me most about it.

“I do as much as I possibly could to keep the Post Office safe and pleasant for our customers, who are fantastic.

“We follow procedures rigidly as possible at all times.”

He also revealed he has added the store’s security devices to ensure he is even better protected.

Now he’s looking ahead and is passionate about helping regenerate Cefn Mawr, a village he moved to eight years ago and where he now feels very much at home.

He said: “I just want to do something positive for the place and there are great plans to make Cefn Mawr a visitor centre. That’s what I focus on.”

Mrs Taylor, who returned to work despite being badly traumatised by the incident, is battling a distrust of strangers now.

She said: “If I’m out with the dogs now and I see someone I don’t know I get very worried. That’s never been the type of person I am.

Two men have been charged with possession of an offensive weapon and robbery in connection with the raid.

Anyone who can help the police investigation can contact them by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or text 66767 or send email to northwalespolice@ north-wales.police.uk.

[subbie]

I am pleased for this Postmaster, but hundreds of other Postmasters who did not attract media attention to the fact that they were held responsible for POL's loss following a robbery, are left having to cough up.

Surely this case now sets a precedent as the Postmaster had been investigated and deemed liable, but then "let off" so in future no other Postmaster should be held liable for a loss following a robbery???

Subbie