Pounds 1m raid on post office by 'security guards'

TWO THIEVES posing as security guards persuaded post office staff to part with pounds 1m after arriving in a security van to collect the day's takings, writes Steve Boggan.

A pounds 25,000 reward was offered last night for information leading to their capture.

The raid happened at 5.40pm on Monday in Romford, east London. Two men dressed in uniforms arrived in a security van and asked staff for the day's takings. Police say the staff believed it was the regular cash collection service and so offered no resistance.

In another raid, a 51-year-old postman was shot in the stomach despite handing over pounds 10,000 to a gunman.

Tony Beale was shot yesterday as he lay on the ground at the Link Top post office in Malvern, Hereford and Worcester.

David Watton, 38, the sub-postmaster, said Mr Beale was shot despite handing over a cash box containing pounds 10,000. 'When I got to him, he was bleeding from the stomach but he was conscious,' Mr Watton said. 'He just said, 'I gave him the money. Why did he shoot me?' '

Mr Beale was described as stable at Worcester Royal Infirmary last night after more than four hours' surgery.