“I’M very shaken but we are not going anywhere” says the Westbury-on-Severn subpostmistress who was the victim of a frightening armed robbery last Friday.
Sarah Guilfoyle was alone in Westbury Post Office, which she runs with her husband Matthew Barnes, when an armed robber stormed in and demanded money from the till. He made off with hundreds of pounds.
She said: “It was so frightening. I didn’t see the robber as he approached me from behind. He demanded money while holding a knife – I just did what he asked.
“The Post Office has procedures in place when you are involved in robberies and I followed them accordingly – personal safety is paramount. Fortunately I wasn’t physically harmed and there weren’t any other customers in the shop.”
Police rushed to the scene after Sarah called them to report the incident which happened at 1.30pm. A manhunt was underway to find him on Friday afternoon but it’s understood he still remains at large.
Sarah said: “As far as I know the police have not found him.
“Westbury is a sleepy village and nothing really happens. I can’t thank the community enough for all their support – they are as shocked as us that this has happened.
“Nothing really goes on in Westbury and this kind of incident is unheard of.
“Matthew and I have been managing the Post Office for the last 18 months and remain determined to stay put. I’m very shaken but we are not going anywhere. It’s business as usual.”
The offender is described as white, 5ft 8in and was wearing a woollen grey hooded top.
A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson said: “No arrests have yet been made in connection with this incident and enquiries are ongoing to trace the man responsible. It is being treated very seriously and officers are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information or who saw suspicious activity in the area at the time is asked to contact police by calling 101 and quoting incident 231 of February 5.”