TWO men are being questioned after a firearm was discharged during an attempted armed robbery.

Police were called after raiders targeted Ford Post Office in Hylton Road, Sunderland, at around 4.50pm on Monday.

Two men went in and one was armed with a gun.

They demanded a member of staff hand over cash, but he refused and one of the men fired a shot before they fled the store empty handed.

Nobody was injured in the incident but the member of staff was left shaken.
The men made off in a vehicle which was later located abandoned in St Luke’s Road in the city.

Officers also recovered the firearm used in the incident and discarded clothing, believed to have been worn by the offenders in St Luke’s Road.
Police arrested men aged 31 and 45 on suspicion of robbery in Garfield Street in Pallion yesterday.
Superintendent Paul Milner, of Northumbria Police, said: "First of all I would like to praise members of staff who were in the Post Office at the time of the incident, their bravery and quick thinking should be commended.
"Throughout the night we have been carrying out extensive enquiries to arrest those believed to be responsible and I'm pleased to say that early this morning we arrested two men. They are now being questioned.
"Incidents where a firearm is discharged in these circumstances are incredibly rare, however, we know the local community will quite rightly be concerned and I would like to offer my reassurance that we will have extra officers in the area to answer their concerns.
"We recognise there may have been some disruption for the local community and I'd like to thank them for their support and cooperation to enable us to deal with the incident and make these arrests. I would also like to thank the officers involved for their professionalism and tireless work to reassure local residents and get people in custody."

- Any witnesses should ring Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference 768 160117 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.