Village post office reopens after two break-ins

Owner Anil Sundavadra said the support of villagers was invaluable

A village post office that has reopened after being raided twice in two weeks has had extra security installed.

The shop in the village of Witchford, near Ely, was first targeted on 19 August when three men in balaclavas stole thousands of pounds in just four minutes, Cambridgeshire Police said.

In a second raid on 31 August, cash, alcohol and cigarettes were taken from the business, in a former Baptist church.

Rosemary Lacey, 77, the first customer after the reopening, said it had been greatly missed, particularly by older generations who could not travel to nearby towns.

Rosemary Lacey was the first customer to return to the shop after it reopened

Ms Lacey said it was "really important" to the villagers.

"The first time it was broken into there was an elderly lady out there who said she had nothing to eat today and couldn't get into Ely, she really needed the shop."

Nicole Barber, 54, said it made a "real difference in the village" and locals had rallied round to support it.

"It is incredibly important for people who can't drive and the older generation. It's a great asset."

Since the break-ins, inside shutters, metal doors, extra alarms and new CCTV cameras have been installed.

A safe was taken from the post office in Witchford during the first raid

Anil Sundavadra, who will have owned the store for two years in November, said he was on holiday when it first was targeted.

"It was really frightening, and they left a real mess behind," he said

"So as long of the village is backing us, we have the strength to fight all our problems."

Cambridgeshire Police said its investigation into the break-ins was continuing.