Brave escape for Post Office worker after robbery in Latchin

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A FRIGHTENED shop assistant had to make an escape from the back of a post office after a brazen daylight robbery in Latchingdon.

A masked man entered the store brandishing a bat and threatened a member of staff before smashing the glass protecting the worker.

He stole a four-figure sum of money from the branch on The Street around 3pm on Thursday.

Residents of Latchingdon were left shocked after the raid in the normally quiet and uneventful village.

Sue Robinson and her husband John, who own Village Estates next door, were happy to help the member of staff.

Mrs Robinson said: "The lady who was in the post office at the time came into the shop afterwards and she was very distressed and in shock.

"The person who did this must have disappeared very quickly because we would have seen them leave the store.

"We were happy to take her in and give her a cup of tea and we hope that she recovers from her ordeal, it's not nice to think that could happen here."

Mr Robinson added: "This is the first time in seven years that it has been robbed so it's not a very common thing to happen here."

Detectives investigating the robbery want residents to check their gardens, bins or hedges for a Hallowe'en-style mask and baseball bat or any unusual items that may have been discarded from the robbery.

The man is described as five-foot- seven to nine inches tall, stocky or well-built, and was wearing a bomber type tan jacket.

Mrs Devji, 54, who owns the D.J. Supermarket next to the Post Office, said: "It is a bit scary to think about it because it's usually so quiet in the village. Everyone is so polite.

"We are usually sitting by the window so would have seen something. But we were unloading our cash and carry at the time the robbery took place.

"This is a lovely place to work with lovely people – we have never experienced anything like this before so close to our shop."

Detective Inspector Neil Pudney, of Chelmsford CID, said: "We are looking for a discarded Hallowe'en style mask, white with black eyes, or bat that may have been used in the robbery.

"I would urge anybody who finds these items to contact officers at Chelmsford CID immediately."

Anyone with any information should contact police on 101.