Raid hostage held at gunpoint

Armed robbers today fired shots when they held up a Bridgnorth post office at gunpoint.An eye-witness who fled the scene said she saw one armed man holding a customer hostage at gunpoint at Low Town Post Office in St John’s Street.

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The terrifying raid happened at about 9.15am and it is thought the man, who was armed with a handgun, then escaped in a waiting getaway car.

Police today confirmed an armed robbery had taken place but said they did not yet know how much was taken. They said no-one was injured in the incident.

Officers have now launched a major search for the two men and sealed off St John’s Street, causing chaos for motorists.

One witness said she fled the post office after walking in as the raid was taking place.

She said: “I got into the door and saw what was happening. There was one man with a gun holding up the post office. There was one member of staff and a customer.

“He didn’t see me so I managed to get out, but it looked like he was holding the woman customer hostage and threatening her. I called the police and heard two shots fired.

“Later on I gingerly went back to see if everyone was alright. No-one was hurt but they were shaken and the glass was broken inside the post office.”

Police spokesman Richard Ewels said: “We think there were two offenders but we think only one of them went inside the post office.

“No-one was injured and we don’t know at this stage if anything was stolen from the post office.

“We are investigating the possibility that shots were fired but I cannot confirm that at this stage. Officers are interviewing witnesses so I also cannot say yet whether a hostage was held at gunpoint.”

It is the second armed robbery at Low Town Post Office in the last six months. In July two masked robbers threatened the shopkeeper with a gun before fleeing with cash.

Anyone who saw the men is urged to call police on 08457 444888.