Woman is left streaming with blood after raid at post office in Market Bosworth

A raider struck a customer over the head with a firearm during an attempted robbery at a post office.

The man, wearing a motorcycle helmet, entered the shop in Main Street, Market Bosworth, and pushed a 49-year-old woman backwards to prevent her from leaving.

He threatened members of staff with what was believed to be a firearm and demanded money from behind the counter.

However, the postmaster refused his demand and he struck the woman before leaving empty-handed.

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The woman ran next door with blood streaming from her head and called for help.

Elliott Young, who works for Epsilon Homes estate agents, said: "She pushed the door in and said there had been an attempted robbery and told me to call the police.

"Blood was streaming down her face. I called the police and went next door where the woman was being comforted by the postmaster, who was covered in her blood."

He said apparently the man, who was wearing a red helmet, smelled of drink.

The victim received a minor cut during the incident and did not require medical treatment. No one else was injured.

The incident took place at about 4.45pm on Tuesday.

The suspect was white, in his early 20s, slim and about 5ft 10in. He was wearing a black nylon motorcycle jacket and dark bottoms.

Alex McDonald, who owns the Dixie Arms Hotel across the road, said: "I was in the bar at the time of the raid and saw the police cars rushing to the incident.

"The police asked if the man had been in the pub before the incident, but he had not. The police also asked to see if I had any CCTV they could look at.

"People have been shocked by this. It is not the sort of thing you expect in a quiet place like Market Bosworth."

Detective Constable Rob Buckley said: "This was a deeply distressing incident for all those involved. Luckily, no one was seriously injured.

"The suspect did threaten people within the shop with a firearm but, at this stage, we can't confirm whether the weapon was genuine.

"We are in the process of taking statements from all those involved and studying CCTV footage."

The postmaster was too traumatised to talk to the press about his ordeal.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Det Con Buckley on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.