A MAN came face-to-face with burglars armed with a sledgehammer as they stole money from a Post Office.

Jeffrey and Celia Young have been left shaken by the burglary at the Post Office they run on Pershore Road, in Upton Snodsbury.

Mrs Young said the gang smashed their way into the business and firearms officers responded to their 999 call.

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Mrs Young said: "We are ok, we are just very shaken up.

"This was an aggravated burglary with three people involved. 

"They smashed their way into the shop and then smashed their way into the internal Post Office area.

"They made off with the shop till and the cash.

"My husband was met by one with a sledgehammer but he backed off so he would not be harmed.

"I saw the car speed off towards Pinvin and the police were on it straight away. 

"Firearms units arrived and patrol cars were involved in two car chases which went in the Evesham direction."

Despite the ordeal, Mrs Young said the whole community has been showing their concern following the burglar and has been offering its support.

She said: "The police have been fantastic, there has been a spate of burglaries in our village recently and the whole community is very upset and concerned.

"We have been here over 25 years and have never known anything like this.

"The whole community is with us.

"Hopefully, the police will have successful convictions soon.

"It is a stressful situation but it is important to let everyone know about these horrible incidents."

No arrests have been made by West Mercia Police following the burglary, but a grey Ford Focus was spotted leaving the scene.

A spokesperson said: "We received a report of a burglary at the Post Office in Upton Snodsbury at around 1.35am this morning (Tuesday 4 July).

"Witnesses reported seeing a grey Ford Focus leaving the scene. Cash was stolen in the burglary.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact DL-CCID@westmercia.police.uk, quoting incident number 26 i of 4 July."

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To report a crime, call 101 or use the online Tell Us About form on the West Mercia Police website at www.westmercia.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or by visiting https://crimestoppers-uk.org.