COUPLE'S POST OFFICE HOLD-UP ORDEAL (From Warrington Guardian)

COUPLE'S POST OFFICE HOLD-UP ORDEAL

FIVE masked robbers held a postmaster and his wife captive in their home for more than 10 hours.

The gang burst into Roy and Cath Smith's home, which adjoins Clive Post Office in Stanthorne, and kept them overnight while they waited for the timelock securing the safe to open.

The couple's horrendous ordeal began at 9.45pm last Tuesday night and they were not released by the raiders until 8.15am the next morning.

The elderly couple were forced to stay in their living room until the safe unlocked.

Police say the robbers, who did not use any weapons, fled from the scene at Middlewich Road, Winsford, escaping with a "substantial" amount of cash.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "The couple, in their late 60s, were confined by five masked men who gained entry to their living quarters which is part of the post office.

"They were not injured in any way but were obviously very shaken and distressed by what happened.

"The only description we have of the men is that they were all wearing dark clothing."

Debbie Smith, aged 28, of Hewitt Drive, who lives just behind the post office, said: "Clive is a very close-knit community and it's frightening to think something like this can happen so close to home.

"When I heard about the robbery I felt awful because I was working shifts that night and I didn't return home until 10.20pm, but I didn't hear or see a thing or even notice anything strange.

"There was a robbery at the post office a few years ago and you just don't expect it to happen to the same people again. I just feel sorry for Cath and Roy. I imagine they were absolutely terrified."

Paul Noad, of Middlewich Road, added: "I used the post office just a few days ago to buy some stamps.

"Then, when I passed the post office on Wednesday, I thought somebody had been killed or something because it was all cordoned off with police tape.

"I was shocked when I discovered it was a robbery. The road is so busy that I don't think they could have got away without somebody noticing them or something suspicious.

"The couple have been trying to sell the post office for some time now, so it's such a shame this has happened."

A spokeswoman from Post Office Counters, Nicola Nicholson, revealed Cath and Roy had been offered trauma counselling following the raid.

She said: "Our first consideration in incidents of this nature is the welfare of the sub-postmaster and family. We are offering fully comprehensive support which includes trauma counselling.

"Clive Post Office will be closed until further notice."

Detectives are investigating a possible link between the Winsford raid and a similar incident at a post office in Macclesfield last Friday. In both robberies, the victims were left uninjured and on neither occasion were weapons used.

Police are appealing for anybody who may have seen any suspicious activity on the A54 Middlewich Road on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

Northwich CID can be reached on 01606 48000 and information can be left on the Crimestoppers line, 0800 555111.

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