A STOIC owner of a post office that has suffered two raids within six months by balaclava wearing thugs says their crime is not worth anyone’s anger.
Great Totham Stores and Post Office, on Maldon Road, had a their side wall obliterated and cash machine stolen at 4am on Friday morning.
Thugs wearing balaclavas and driving Land Rovers broke into the store and used their vehicles to drag the cash machine out, completely destroying their side wall.
This is the second break-in at the store after they suffered the exact same crime in December.
Simon Thompson, who has co-owned the store with his wife Claire for just over three years, said: “These guys really are not worth getting angry over. It’s happened now and it’s just a case of dealing with it.
“It’s like an exact replica of what happened last time. A group of guys in gloves and balaclavas came up in a couple of Land Rovers, broke in, and used the cars to pull the cash machine out.
"We have everything on CCTV.
“We’re certainly not going to have a cash machine in store again, as that was all they were after.
“We’ve boarded it up, and will have it bricked over within a few days, everything is covered by the insurance.”
He added: “It’s not something you need in your life when there’s other matters that need your attention, but those people and their acts just aren’t worth getting worked up about.”
An Essex police spokesman said: “Police are investigating the theft of a cash machine which was stolen at around 4am on Friday from the Post Office in Great Totham.
“Thieves are believed to have used a vehicle to pull the cash machine out from inside the shop, causing significant damage to the building.
“Detectives would ask members of the public to contact them if they have any information about the incident or if anyone finds the remains of the cash machine discarded.
“They can call Essex Police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”