CHURT'S outreach post office has been forced into premature closure following a robbery last week, in which a hooded hoodlum pocketed £3,000. The decision was prompted by the hold-up, although the postmistress – who does not wish to be named – was set to retire at the end of May for medical reasons. The victim, who also runs the post office service in the Tilford community shop, was shaken but unhurt during the incident. Long-standing Churt parish councillor Peter Cotton (who did not stand for re-election last week), made the decision after the ordeal, which saw the victim threatened with a breadknife. "I was on the spot and in the Village Hall in five minutes, and as the vice-chairman of the parish council until this week (Wednesday), I was responsible for the post office. I took the instant decision on the spot to close the operation down. "After speaking to the regional manager of the Post Office, they said it would be very difficult to get someone to man the post office on an outreach basis. The thing is so undecided that we realistically took the view that Churt can't continue for the time being. "And given that the postmistress had said that she was set to retire, we thought we may as well close the operation. "People who are regular attenders on Tuesday or Thursday afternoons have been informed," he added. Police are still searching for the perpetrator, who ran into the village hall at around 4.30pm last Tuesday. After demanding the post office takings, he made a getaway on foot in the direction of the recreation ground. He is described as white, around 5ft 9ins, wearing dark clothing and is believed to have short dark brown hair. Speaking about the harrowing incident, Mr Cotton added: "Unfortunately, the postmistress was in the process of cashing up money on the table, rather than it being securely locked up in a case. "I would say the crime was opportunistic rather than planned, although he got away with a lot of money. It was around £3,000. "The remarkable thing is that this incident happened on the afternoon of an over 60s meeting, which took place in the village hall. "There were quite a few people around and when the postmistress screamed, they did come to help, but as they were over 60, were unable to give chase. "But the postmistress was able to give a full description of the man as he had appeared in the previous week to ask for a form to buy premium bonds, so she remembered what he looked like." "In terms of security, it certainly wasn't satisfactory and the police have been very unhappy about this. "There was the whole business of carrying cash from Churt to Tilford by taxi, and the rather open nature of the transactions done in Churt Village Hall which we have found out to our cost." While the incident brings an unsavoury end to a valuable village service, Mr Cotton was keen to look on the bright side. He said: "While Churt News are not prepared to take on the post office, nevertheless, they have said they are very willing to cash cheques for up to £30 and sell stamps." "And quite honestly, one has to temper the general statement about a village disappearing if it doesn't have a post office. "Apparently a village dies if it doesn't have a school, a village hall and a shop and we've got all three of those." If anyone has any information about the crime, call Dc Matthew Evans on 0845 1252222.
