A GUNMAN has attempted to hold up a post office which has previously been targeted twice by armed robbers.

Police and specialist armed response officers were called to an incident in Darlington’s Geneva Road Post Office after the man entered the shop and threatened staff with the weapon.

Two members of staff were working at the small store when the armed man appeared at 4.15pm on Monday.

The armed man, who had covered his mouth with a scarf, left the post office empty-handed after, it is understood, cashiers triggered an alarm alerting police to the incident.

Detective Inspector Sharon Alderson said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen this man in the vicinity of Geneva Road at the time of the incident.

“This was an extremely distressing incident for the two members of staff that were in the post office at the time and they are receiving the appropriate support.”

The suspect has been described as a white man, around 5ft 5in tall, with a black scarf covering the lower half of his face.

Det Insp Alderson added: “We are currently investigating a number of lines of enquiry and I want to reassure the public we are doing everything we can to catch the person responsible.”

The post office was cordoned off as detectives began collecting evidence and speaking to residents. Witnesses reported seeing several police vans and officers from Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit at the scene.

The Northern Echo:

An officer at the Post Office. Picture: Craig Stoddart

Andrea Blakeburn, 50, of Pateley Moor Crescent, Darlington, was jailed for three-and-a-half years in October after brandishing a five-inch blade at the post office and demanding £1,000.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the post office had previously been targeted by armed robbers and there were fears the business could become unviable if customers were put off.

Concerns have previously been expressed for the safety of those working in the store.

  • Anyone with information on the incident or the whereabouts of the man involved can contact Darlington Police via non-emergency number 101, quoting incident reference 0302 of February 27.