POLICE have renewed their appeals to catch a gun-wielding robber who struck at a village post office exactly a week after the terrifying attack.

Russell Claydon

POLICE have renewed their appeals to catch a gun-wielding robber who struck at a village post office exactly a week after the terrifying attack.

A man wearing a Halloween mask and brandishing a handgun threatened staff at Capel St Mary post office, near Ipswich, before making off with a quantity of money.

Last night officers were back in the village seeking further information in the hunt for the robber from residents and passers by.

Officers stopped motorists and walkers outside the branch to check if they had seen anything untoward on December 1.

It was around 5pm that the heavily built man carried out the attack, which left staff in a state of shock. No one was injured during the incident.

Acting Detective Sergeant Andrew Smethurst, of Suffolk police, said: “We have now identified everyone in the Post Office at the time of the robbery but I would continue to appeal for anyone else who may have been in the area at the time to come forward.

“It is possible the offender waited for the right moment to enter the store, so I would like to speak to anyone who was in the village from about 4.30pm.

“The man was very distinctive due to his size and the mask he was wearing, and anyone who may have seen him before or after the robbery should contact police as a matter of urgency.”

Police cordoned off the post office site in the immediate aftermath of the raid, and the force helicopter hovered over the area.

Pauline Percy, owner of Capel Greengrocers, said shortly after the robbery: “It's very frightening. I remember the Co-op was hit before but never anything like this.”

Anyone with any information should contact A/DS Smethurst at Sudbury CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.