Suffolk Police are appealing for information following an armed robbery at Capel St Mary Post Office yesterday, Friday 19th December.

At around 4.55pm a man entered the Post Office on The Street, put on a mask and threatened workers with a handgun, demanding money. A quantity of cash was handed over and he ran out of the store. He then got into a long wheel base white panel van on Link Road and drove off at speed towards Rembrow Road. No-one was injured during the incident.

The man is described as white, approximately 6 foot tall, between 35 and 45 years old, of broad and muscular build with short dark hair with a slight curl and was wearing a Halloween-style mask, a blue jumper and lighter coloured trousers. He was carrying a white plastic bag.

Detective Inspector Andy Smith says, “This was a frightening ordeal for the staff who had endured a similar incident earlier this month on 1st December. We are now investigating these robberies together.

“I would appeal for anyone who was in Capel St Mary between 4.30pm and 5.15pm to come forward. It is possible the offender waited for the right moment to enter the store, so he may have been seen in the street before the robbery took place, without the mask on. I also want to hear from anyone who may have seen the van in the local area before or after the robbery took place.

“Officers will be on patrol in the village over the weekend to offer reassurance and to give people the opportunity to pass on any information they may have. As part of Operation Arctic, visits have been made to all Post Offices and small stores in Suffolk, to give advice on safety and security and to provide reassurance, and these visits will continue into 2009.

“I would appeal for communities to remain vigilant over Christmas. Anyone who sees any suspicious persons around Post Offices or stores should not approach them, and contact police as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with any information should contact DS Ann Naylor at Sudbury CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.