POLICE were today searching for an armed gunman who struck at a village post office just outside Ipswich.

POLICE were today searching for an armed gunman who struck at a village post office just outside Ipswich.

Officials from the post office arrived at Capel St Mary today to help with an audit following the raid that happened at about 5pm last night.

Pauline Percy, owner of Capel Greengrocers, said: “It's very frightening. I remember the Co-op was hit before but never anything like this. I did not see anything until I saw all the blue flashing lights. I hope the staff are all right.”

Mary Etheridge, 92, a nearby neighbour said: “It is upsetting. I have lived here since 1939 and I cannot remember something like this happening. I wondered how long it would take them to come to Capel.”

Another resident added: “I came home from work at 5.30pm to see all the police here and a helicopter above. You don't expect this to happen here.”

A sign on the post office door today stated that it was closed due to an armed raid. It stated: “We shall re-open as soon as possible.”

The owner of the post office refused to comment as he was in the middle of completing an audit.

Police have confirmed that money was stolen in the raid.

A Suffolk police spokeswoman said: “The offender was of a heavy build and was wearing a Hallowe'en-style mask.”

And today they repeated their appeal for any witnesses to contact them.

Suguna Indran, owner of nearby Capel News, said the robbery had left her feeling afraid.

“It is a surprise,” she said. “The police came in here wanting to look at my CCTV. People do not know what has happened and everyone is shocked.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Suffolk police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.