A series of break-ins at Post Office branches across South Cambridgeshire over the bank holiday weekend has been reported, prompting a police appeal for information and raising fresh concerns about retail crime in rural areas.
According to Cambridgeshire Police, multiple incidents took place across four villages within a short timeframe, with offenders stealing both cash and tobacco.
Cash was taken from Linton Post Office on the High Street in the early hours of Friday (May 1) at around 3.50am. A similar incident occurred at Burwell Post Office on The Causeway on Saturday (May 2) at approximately 3.25am, where cash was also stolen.
Meanwhile, Barton Post Office on Comberton Road was targeted on Sunday (May 3) at around 5.45am, with thieves making off with tobacco products.
An attempted break-in was also reported at Stow-cum-Quy Post Office on Albert Road earlier in the week, on Thursday (April 30) at around 3.05am.
Local reports state that enquiries are ongoing, including reviewing CCTV footage, exploring forensic leads, and increasing patrols in affected areas.Police officers have urged anyone who witnessed suspicious activity, or vehicles parked or moving in the vicinity at unusual hours, to come forward.
The incidents highlight ongoing vulnerabilities for smaller, community-based Post Office branches, particularly during quieter trading periods such as overnight hours and holiday weekends.
In another unrelated case, three masked men, who looted cash, alcohol, vapes and tobacco from a convenience store in St Neots in Cambridgeshire, have been jailed.
As reported by Camridgeshire Constabulary, Shane Barr, Abdifatah Haji, and Americo Monteiro Do Rosario Silva, and a fourth man, entered the Post Office and Premier Store, in Eaton Socon, St Neots.
A terrified member of staff ran out of the shop and called police while the burglars filled their pockets and bags with cash from the till and the other items. They fled to a house nearby, where police arrested them following a tip-off from a member of the public.
Silva, of West Green Road, North London, pleaded guilty to burglary on Tuesday 10 February and was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court on Monday (20 April). Barr, of Moores Walk, St Neots, and Haji, of Wargrave Avenue, North London, admitted burglary on Tuesday 10 February. Barr was jailed for three years and three months and Haji to one year at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday 27 March.
Detective Constable Lucy Holderness, who investigated, said: “These men showed a blatant disregard for the law and the member of staff who must have been terrified, simply so they could steal as much as they could carry.
“Thanks to the swift response from officers and the support of the community, they have been brought to justice and have now faced the consequences of their actions.”