Second Cotswold post office raided (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Second Cotswold post office raided

A MASKED gunman threatened terrified shoppers with a double-barrelled shotgun in a Cotswold post office on Monday.

Three members of staff and two customers were present when the raider targeted the Northleach Post Office.

The thief stole between £5,000 and £10,000 before making off with another man at around 2.45pm.

The assailants later abandoned their getaway car - a black Vauxhall - only a few miles away in Farmington Road before making off in another vehicle.

Police have launched an investigation into the robbery, which is the second post office raid in the Cotswolds in three weeks.

Postmaster David Cotton told the Standard he was left in "total shock" after the terrifying ordeal.

He said: "I was in a state of disbelief when it was happening.

"As the incident progressed it became more and more serious. The man became more and more aggressive.

"The two customers were left shaken, particularly a young lady who usually comes into the post office with her two young children.

"We will be asking questions as to what can be done but it is very difficult for the police to stop these robberies happening."

Mr Cotton said Cotswold police were a "tremendous support and handled the crisis extremely well".

Officers describe the armed thief as white and 5ft 6ins tall. His accomplice was not seen by post office staff.

The incident happened barely three weeks after a similar robbery at Longborough Post Office.

In both cases a man entered the premises and threatened staff and customers with a gun before making off with another man in a car which was later abandoned.

But investigating officers have quickly ruled out any connection between the two robberies.

Gloucestershire police spokesman Matt Ford said: "There are similarities between the incidents, but we are not linking them at this stage.

"This has been very distressing for all the victims involved and we aim to catch these people as soon as possible.

"It was in the middle of the afternoon and somebody locally may have spotted the vehicle leaving the area." Witness should call Cotswold police on 0845 090 1234.

As the Standard went to press police had arrested a 28-year-old Cheltenham man on suspicion of the Northleach robbery. A 38-year-old Cheltenham was also arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods but later released on police bail pending further enquiries.