Armed raid at post office

Police are hunting for the three raiders

Police are hunting three masked raiders who threatened Post Office staff with a handgun and made off £2,000.

The men carried out the armed robbery at the shop in Usk near Newport, south Wales at about 1700 BST on Tuesday.

They threatened two members of staff and three customers with what is believed to be a hand gun, a long-bladed knife and a cosh.

The handgun was used to smash the glass at the post office counter and about £2,000 was taken from the till.

A 20-strong police team has been set up to try and find the armed robbers

This was a particularly disturbing robbery and extremely frightening for those involved DCI Geoff Ronayne

Two wore stocking masks during the raid and the third was wearing a mask of a human face, fastened around the back of the head with elastic.

He was also described as having black short hair, six foot or taller, and wearing black leather gloves.

Detective Chief Inspector Geoff Ronayne is leading the Gwent Police investigation.

"This was a particularly disturbing robbery and extremely frightening for those involved," he said.

"This could easily have turned into something more serious or tragic.

"We need to catch these people as soon as possible," he added.

An incident room has been set up at Abergavenny Police Station.

Officers are searching the surrounding area, and are carrying out house-to-house enquiries, interviewing witnesses and checking CCTV in the area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gwent Police on 01633 838111.