Burgled Romsey post office reopens after a week

Romsey Post Office welcomed customers yesterday for the first time since raiders fled empty handed during the early hours after trying to force open the safe.

It is believed the gang used an angle grinder in a bid to cut open the safe.

Police did confirm that there had been a break-in and burglar alarms went off twice in the early hours of Monday, September 14 at the Church Street premises.

When police attended the first time at around 12.20am no sign of a break-in was reported but on the second call out at 3.30am it had been broken into.

It is understood that the gang left a trail of damage inside the building but no one has confirmed this.

Post Office officials have have refused to release details about what happened inside the premises.

It left Romsey residents asking why the Post Office had not reopened for so long after the break-in.

Pensioner Lin Reader, who lives in the town, said: “I was walking around Romsey for a week with a letter I had to post to America.I would like to know why it was closed for so long?

Someone told me that because they couldn’t steal anything, the burglars vandalised the Post Office.

“I mainly use Romsey Post Office for letters that I send abroad and also for sending parcels and I really missed it. The staff are lovely there.”

But former Romsey police sergeant Ian Richards, who is now a borough councillor for the town, believes he may have the answer.

Mr Richards, who retired from the Hampshire force nearly 20 years ago, said: “As a former policeman, I am well aware that people will trigger alarms and then go back again and see what the response from the police was.

“I can only assume that damage was done inside the Post Office and it needed to be repaired before it could operate again.”

A black car was seen in the area at the time the post office was targeted by the gang.

Post Office officials have appealed to anyone with information to contact Hampshire police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.