A POSTMISTRESS says she will not be beaten after thieves smashed into the front of her shop before making off with an ATM machine last week.
Jenny Cain, 44, told the Observer she will try to re-open Barnards Green Post Office ‘as soon as possible’ as the community needs her services.
Tens of thousands of pounds of damage was caused to the shop on Court Road after it was the target of a smash-and-grab last Thursday (April 13).
West Mercia Police was notified of the crime at about 3.20am.
Thieves used a JCB to smash the front of the store before ripping out the ATM machine – Ms Cain confirmed money was taken but the amount could not be revealed for security reasons.
Re-open
Ms Cain has now requested another ATM machine to be fitted and is awaiting to hear from loss adjusters before announcing a potential date to re-open.
“I don’t think anybody could describe how it felt when I saw what had happened to the shop front,” she said.
“Over the last few days I have had a splitting pain in my head and the further I get away from Thursday the more devastated I feel.
“I have asked for another ATM and I will certainly be re-opening the shop because I will not let these thieves beat me.
“The community needs this store as it’s not just the public which I help, but also businesses in the area too.
“People have asked if there’s anything they can do to help but there is not much that can be done.
“My only hope is that when we re-open people come back and see me.”
Ms Cain has received plenty of flowers and cards from residents following the incident as well as support from West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin who has called on police to act fast to catch the culprits.
She said: “It looks like criminal gangs are targeting our area and think they can get away with this appalling crime.
“I have urged our Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion to ensure that the right resources are deployed to catch these violent criminals.
“I was in the Barnard’s Green Post Office recently and know what a valuable resource the shop, the Post Office and the cashpoint are for the community.
“Jenny works so hard to serve local residents at her successful business. I hope that the police can catch these crooks quickly.”
Anybody with information should call the police on 101 and quote incident number 0051s 230417.
