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Man shot dead in post office raid Man shot dead in post office raid
(about 1 hour later)
A man has died after being shot in an armed raid at a family-run post office in a village in north Worcestershire. A man has been shot dead in a robbery at a family-run post office in a village in north Worcestershire.
He was shot in the chest during a raid at Fairfields Store, in Fairfield, near Bromsgrove, and died at about 0900 GMT. He was shot in the chest at Fairfields Store, in Fairfield, near Bromsgrove, and died at about 0900 GMT.
A second man was shot in the leg during the raid carried out by three men armed with a handgun and a sledgehammer.A second man was shot in the leg during the raid carried out by three men armed with a handgun and a sledgehammer.
It is believed they escaped in a silver Volkswagen Golf later found abandoned in Bournheath Road. The post office was also raided five years ago. It is believed they escaped in a stolen silver Volkswagen Golf later found abandoned in Bournheath Road. The post office was also raided five years ago.
Fairfield First School, which is opposite the store was shut following the shooting. They are a lovely family, just lovely people really David Green, villager Fairfield First School, which is opposite the store, was shut following the shooting.
Head teacher Helen Hedar said several pupils had arrived at school at the time of the raid at about 0820 GMT, but no-one had seen anything as the school was set back from the road and did not overlook the shop.Head teacher Helen Hedar said several pupils had arrived at school at the time of the raid at about 0820 GMT, but no-one had seen anything as the school was set back from the road and did not overlook the shop.
They are a lovely family, just lovely people really David Green, villager
A Post Office spokesman said: "We are shocked and appalled at this terrible attack against hard-working people serving the whole community and we are very concerned for the family and will be doing all we can to help them."A Post Office spokesman said: "We are shocked and appalled at this terrible attack against hard-working people serving the whole community and we are very concerned for the family and will be doing all we can to help them."
Builder David Green, 59, who regularly buys his paper from the store said it was run by a Welsh family who had moved to the area several years ago. BBC correspondent Pat Murphy, who lives in the village, said he was "flabbergasted" by the events.
Police have cordoned off a street and are searching the area "It really is a cliche but it's true, [the shop] is a focal point in the community."
He said the mother and father, believed to be in their 50s, and their son and daughter, in their 20s, were a "lovely family". He said the sub-postmaster at Fairfields Store, Ken Hodson-Walker, his wife Judy and their son Craig were very popular with residents.
He added: "Everybody knows everybody here... We always have a little chat." Police make appeal over post office shootings
Gordon Witcomb, chairman of a neighbouring parish council, said he was shocked but not surprised to hear of the robbery. Builder David Green, 59, who buys his paper from the store, said the family was "lovely" and added: "Everybody knows everybody here... We always have a little chat."
Gordon Witcomb, chairman of a neighbouring parish council, said he was not surprised to hear of the robbery.
He said: "It is funny because around here there are a lot of little shops and there seems to be a programme of them being attacked by armed robbers."He said: "It is funny because around here there are a lot of little shops and there seems to be a programme of them being attacked by armed robbers."
He said a convenience store in nearby Lickey End was held up for cigarettes and cash by armed robbers in November.He said a convenience store in nearby Lickey End was held up for cigarettes and cash by armed robbers in November.
West Mercia Police said they wanted to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area around the time of the raid. Police said they wanted to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area around the time of the raid.
The vehicle believed to have been used in the raid had false registration plates and was stolen from Solihull on 31 December, police said.
The correct registration plate for the car was GP53 FJJ.
Det Supt Jon Groves, of West Mercia Police, said: "Significant resources have been committed to this inquiry, which is in its very early stages.Det Supt Jon Groves, of West Mercia Police, said: "Significant resources have been committed to this inquiry, which is in its very early stages.
"The offenders are dangerous and must not be approached.""The offenders are dangerous and must not be approached."
Police have cordoned off a street and are searching the area
Residents first learned of the shooting when they saw a police helicopter circling the area. One Stourbridge Road resident said: "I thought something happened on the motorway."Residents first learned of the shooting when they saw a police helicopter circling the area. One Stourbridge Road resident said: "I thought something happened on the motorway."
Another Fairfield resident, Doreen Davis, said: "It's a shock that it's happened in Fairfield.Another Fairfield resident, Doreen Davis, said: "It's a shock that it's happened in Fairfield.
"We are only a sleepy place. If you didn't know we were here... you'd just drive through it."We are only a sleepy place. If you didn't know we were here... you'd just drive through it.
"It brings you down to earth a little bit and makes you realise we are all vulnerable.""It brings you down to earth a little bit and makes you realise we are all vulnerable."
Police cordons have been placed around the majority of the village and pedestrians and cars have been diverted away from Stourbridge Road, the main through road.Police cordons have been placed around the majority of the village and pedestrians and cars have been diverted away from Stourbridge Road, the main through road.