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Arrest after post office robbery Second arrest after armed robbery
(about 22 hours later)
A 24-year-old man has been arrested following a post office robbery. A second man has been arrested following an armed post office robbery.
Armed police officers were called to the premises in Neath Road, Briton Ferry on Wednesday morning.Armed police officers were called to the premises in Neath Road, Briton Ferry on Wednesday morning.
The sub postmaster, Andrew Ball, sustained facial injuries in the incident and was taken to Morriston hospital in Swansea for treatment.The sub postmaster, Andrew Ball, sustained facial injuries in the incident and was taken to Morriston hospital in Swansea for treatment.
Detectives say a man is being held at Neath police station on suspicion of armed robbery. An appeal has also been made for witnesses to come forward. A 24-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday and is still in custody. A 28-year-old man was arrested on Thursday.
Officers were called to the post office just before 0900 BST, and said a large quantity of cash had been taken during the incident. Officers were called to the post office just before 0900 BST and said a large quantity of cash had been taken during the incident.
Detective Inspector Jason Davies of Neath Port Talbot CID said: "We are appealing to anyone who was in this area of Briton Ferry who may have seen any persons acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the Post Office, including the wooded area at the rear of the premises, between 7am and 9.30am to come forward with information. Det Insp Jason Davies of Neath Port Talbot CID said: "Although two arrests have been made in connection with this incident, we are still appealing to anyone with information about this incident to come forward.
"We would also like to hear from anyone who has witnessed any suspicious activity in or around the Post Office in the days or weeks leading up to this incident." "We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen any persons acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the Post Office, including the wooded area at the rear of the premises, between 7am and 9.30am on Wednesday or in the days or weeks leading up to this incident, to come forward with information."
A spokesman for Post Office Ltd said Mr Ball and his family would be offered full support and counselling after a "very traumatic experience".A spokesman for Post Office Ltd said Mr Ball and his family would be offered full support and counselling after a "very traumatic experience".
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Gwyn Ball describes how raiders attacked his son as they opened the shopGwyn Ball describes how raiders attacked his son as they opened the shop
Mr Ball's father Gwyn told BBC Wales: "He went to lock the back door and these men came and jumped on him.Mr Ball's father Gwyn told BBC Wales: "He went to lock the back door and these men came and jumped on him.
"They got him down on the floor and they were kicking him.""They got him down on the floor and they were kicking him."
Local councillor Hugh James said it was the third robbery in the area.Local councillor Hugh James said it was the third robbery in the area.
He said there were two post offices in Neath Road but police activity centred on the main branch.He said there were two post offices in Neath Road but police activity centred on the main branch.
Mr James said officers had cordoned off the back lanes and there was a large police presence.Mr James said officers had cordoned off the back lanes and there was a large police presence.
Witness describes her shock at a raid at a post officeWitness describes her shock at a raid at a post office
'Reassurance''Reassurance'
He said: "This is obviously a shocking incident for a place like Briton Ferry, it's a popular post office and lots of elderly people use it.He said: "This is obviously a shocking incident for a place like Briton Ferry, it's a popular post office and lots of elderly people use it.
"It's been quite shocking because we have had three incidents on that road in recent months.""It's been quite shocking because we have had three incidents on that road in recent months."
Neath Port Talbot divisional commander, Superintendent Julian Williams, said: "The community of Briton Ferry can be reassured by the fact that an arrest has been made following extensive police investigations which have been carried out throughout the day and are continuing. Neath Port Talbot divisional commander, Supt Julian Williams, said: "Incidents such as this are rare in Neath Port Talbot but when they do occur we will be relentless in our pursuit of those responsible to ensure our communities remain safe places to live and work."
"Incidents such as this are rare in Neath Port Talbot but when they do occur we will be relentless in our pursuit of those responsible to ensure our communities remain safe places to live and work."
The Neath Road branch is closed for the time being but will be reopening as soon as possible.
In the meantime, customers can use any Post Office branch, with the branches Ynysymaerdy, Penrhiwtyn, Baglan, Cimla and Fairways, being the nearest alternatives.
Anyone with information on the incident should contact South Wales Police on 01792 456999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.Anyone with information on the incident should contact South Wales Police on 01792 456999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.