Masked thieves raid Merrow post office

MASKED raiders armed with a chainsaw and axle grinder have smashed their way into a Merrow post office.

The three thieves stole National Lottery scratch cards from the store in Collingwood Crescent just before 10.40pm on August 31.

They used a chainsaw and axle grinder to try and break through the door lock before smashing a door window to get in.

The intruders tried to access the cash machine and a smoke cloak security device was activated as a result. 

They grabbed a case of scratch cards and kicked over a lottery machine before making a get away in a dark coloured car.

A large quantity of different types of scratch cards were stolen in the raid and £1200 worth of damage was caused to the property and the lottery machine.

Mark Parry, temporary detective inspector of Guildford CID, said: "This was an offence which would appear to have been pre-planned with the suspects arriving armed with tools to attempt to gain entry to the store. 

"It seems that the offenders panicked when the smoke cloak alarm was set off and they grabbed whatever was to hand, in this case lottery scratch cards.

"This is an attack on a small local premise within a community and I am sure there must be some local residents in the Boxgrove area who may have seen unusual or suspicious activity around the time of the incident. 

"I need to speak with anyone who has any information and I would ask people to call Surrey Police on 101 as soon as possible and help officers bring these offenders to justice."

Call Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference GD/12/8014 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.