Royal Mail said the level of risk was “unacceptably high” after taking a health and safety risk assessment
Postmen have been told not to deliver to two streets in Bristol after an incident in the area.
Delivery to homes in St Mark’s Road and Heron Road in Easton were suspended after a postman was seriously threatened by a customer.
Letters were put through doors in the area to explain all mail would be held at a depot rather than being delivered.
It read: “You may already be aware that a Royal Mail post person was involved in an incident in your area recently.
St Mark's Road, Easton
“As a result, a health and safety risk assessment was undertaken and confirmed that the level of risk associated with delivering to your property was unacceptably high due to the threat of further customer abuse.
“Royal Mail will carry out its own further investigations into the circumstances surrounding this incident and we will be working with hose involved and local police.
“However I’m very sorry to advice that until such time as we can guarantee this, we are unable to access your property and deliver mail safely.
“Due to the serious nature of the incident deliveries to your address will therefore be suspended with immediate effect.
“I hope you understand that this exceptional step is being taken in order to safeguard the health and safety of Royal Mail employees.”
People were told they could collect their mail between 7am and 12noon on Mondays to Fridays and 7am to 11am on Saturdays.
Royal Mail said they had taken advice from the police to suspend the deliveries.
A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: “We temporarily suspended deliveries to a number of addresses on St Mark’s Road and Heron Road at the request of the police after one of our postmen was seriously threatened by a customer whilst they investigated this incident.
“The safety and welfare of our staff is paramount and we only suspend deliveries as a last resort when the safety of our staff is at risk.
Heron Road in Easton
“We apologise to customers for any inconvenience this may have caused."
Police have now confirmed with the Bristol Post a man has been arrested and charged with the incident.
Keith Mayo, 36, of St Mark’s Road, appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and using threatening, abuse or insulting words intending to and cause harassment, alarm or distress.
He will appear in Bristol Crown Court at a later date.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police said: “A man has been remanded in custody and there is no ongoing risk to members of the public and employees of the Royal Mail.”
Update: Following the police statement, Royal Mail said deliveries will be reinstated from Tuesday, April 10.