By Mark HeathPOLICE have arrested three people following a terrifying armed robbery at a post office.A man brandishing what appeared to be a gun burst into the branch in Fore Street, Ipswich, at about 12.

By Mark Heath

POLICE have arrested three people following a terrifying armed robbery at a post office.

A man brandishing what appeared to be a gun burst into the branch in Fore Street, Ipswich, at about 12.50pm yesterday and demanded money from the frightened cashier.

Although it is not believed he escaped with any cash, the raider is thought to have fled with a customer's handbag.

A car was followed by police after the robbery and the Suffolk force's helicopter was also drafted in to help.

The car was stopped on the A12 near Colchester and a man and two women were arrested. They were being questioned at Colchester and Ipswich police stations last night in connection with the robbery.

Following the robbery, a single plain-clothed policeman stood guard at the door to the post office.

Craig Clark, who runs N8tive Media next door to the branch, said he had not heard or seen anything following the robbery.

But he spoke of his concern at the level of crime in the area – his business was targeted a few weeks ago when a thief walked in off the street and stole a laptop computer and jacket.

Mr Clark added: "It is quite a shock for something like this robbery to happen right next door to us.

"It does seem like crime is rising around here, though. When I spoke to the police about the laptop being stolen, they said a lady also had a handbag taken from an office just down the road.

"It's certainly worrying me because we've got a business here. At the end of the day, no matter what security system you have, if people want to get in and take something, then they will."

Jon Richardson, sub-postmaster at the Brunswick Road Post Office in Ipswich and the regional secretary for the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters, also spoke of his shock at the robbery.

"We've had quite a few incidents of this nature in rural areas recently and it's not nice to see it happening in the town as well," he said.

"I've been a sub-postmaster for 29 years and it's never far from your mind – you always have to keep an eye out.

"It is very worrying for sub-postmasters that people seem prepared to go to these lengths for what is essentially not much reward. These things have a very traumatic effect on everyone."

mark.heath@eadt.co.uk