A POST office cashier is recovering after being threatened with a hammer during a “crazy” armed robbery in Gravesend.
A gang of men stormed into the post office in Valley Drive at around 2.15pm and threatened the female staff member.
She was injured in the daylight attack and has been taken to hospital although the extent of her injuries is currently not known.
The group of between three and four men left the store empty-handed before speeding off in a high-performance getaway car parked nearby.
Ayhen Karaeinar, 21, was visiting his uncle Orhan Bakici, 47, at Valley Fish when he heard the alarm going off.
He said: “I saw them speed off in a black Audi A3 parked just round the corner.
“They were driving towards St Benedict’s Avenue."
He added: “I saw the woman getting into the ambulance. She looked like she has a few bumps and bruises.
“It is shocking at this time of the day.”
Arun Thiyagarajah, 45, was shocked to return from the cash and carry to find police had taped off his shop, Save On Mini Market.
He told News Shopper: “It’s mad, it’s crazy for it to happen in the middle of the day. They smashed the glass with the hammer.
“It happened so quick, in about a minute so not many people saw what happened.
“It was very busy at that time. The parade has a lot of shops and a lot of people use it.”
Police officers remain at the scene after being called to reports of an attempted robbery at 2.20pm.
Paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance Service were also called to the scene.
A large area is cordoned off outside the parade of shops.
A Post Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that an attempted armed robbery took place at Valley Drive Post Office earlier today.
"The people who run our Post Office branches provide important local services.
"Any robbery or attempted robbery is not only traumatic for those involved but is also an attack on the local community and we will be supporting the Police in their efforts to apprehend those responsible.
"Post Office would urge anyone with information to contact the police or anonymously."
Call 0800 555111.
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