Man hurt in post office armed raid
Armed raiders burst into the store, in Northfields, yesterday afternoon and threatened the occupants with a handgun.
Police said the raiders assaulted the occupants and one person – who is understood to be the sub-postmaster – was taken to hospital with minor head injuries.
The raid happened at Brackley Close Post Office, just after 3.30pm.
A police spokesman said: "The suspects left the premises on foot and ran down an alleyway from Brackley Close towards a park.
"We are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and saw anything suspicious to get in touch."
He said it was not yet known whether anything was taken during the raid.
Police cordoned off the scene and a forensic team was brought in to sift through evidence inside the premises.
Hemandra Hindocha, Leicester branch secretary of the National Federation of SubPostmasters, is a friend of the postmaster.
He said: "I got a phone call from his wife, who was very upset. She was very shaken and told me something had happened at the post office and her husband had been injured. This is the second time this branch has been raided in the last six months.
"The last time, I don't think they got anything and no one was hurt."
He said the sub-postmaster had been running the branch for 10 years.
He said: "I was horrified when I found out what had happened but, sadly, it is becoming all too common."
Shashi Patel, who lives a few doors away from the post office, said he only realised something was wrong after seeing police cars outside the business.
He said: "I know the owner well, because it is also the main shop for the surrounding streets. I briefly spoke to him as they were taking him away in an ambulance.
"He was in shock and there appeared to be some injuries to the left side of his head."
Neighbour Kamran Azam was horrified to find out what happened. He said: "The police have been round asking questions, but I told them I didn't see anything.
"I've been here for about five years and it's normally a nice place to live. But I have noticed it getting gradually worse."
A Royal Mail spokeswoman confirmed that a robbery had taken place and the sub- postmaster had been taken to hospital, but was expected to be released soon.
She said: "This was obviously a very distressing incident for all those involved and we are offering our full support."
The first raider was black and wore a blue baseball cap with a white logo on it, a black jacket with the hood up over the cap, black trousers and a red, checked shirt. He wore a white glove on his right hand and Adidas trainers.
The second suspect was black or Asian, with short dark hair. He was wearing black clothing and gloves.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Sergeant 1683 Dave Speight on 0116 222 2222.
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