The shooting that shocked a quiet village

By David Green
BBC News, Fairfield, Worcestershire

The death of a man in an armed raid on a post office has shocked the quiet village of Fairfield.

The village was sealed off by police after the raid

The post office and general store is the centre of the community in this part of north Worcestershire and villagers spoke of the friendly, warm welcome they always experienced at the Stourbridge Road shop.

For most people in affluent Fairfield, which lies in Birmingham's commuter belt, between Bromsgrove and Kidderminster, the store is one of the village's only shops.

It is the place people go to buy their daily paper, collect milk and post parcels.

The family who ran the shop, Ken and Judy Hodson-Walker and their son Craig, were well known by villagers.

But on Friday a police helicopter was hovering above the store and teams of police officers wearing fluorescent jackets were seen around the building.

'Like a family'

Craig had been shot in the chest during the raid and died.

Another man was shot in the leg during the attack carried out by three balaclava-clad men, armed with a handgun and a sledgehammer.

"Living in a village like this, it's like a family," said villager Tina Toor, 53.

Ian Hamer said the Hodson-Walker family were "very, very friendly"

"We're all very close. Everyone is very, very upset."

The Hodson-Walkers were thought to have moved to Fairfield four or five years ago.

"They're well-known in this village," said another villager, Ian Hamer, 71.

"My partner was laughing and joking with them only yesterday. Everyone is very shocked.

"They're very, very friendly and helpful. There was always a laugh and a joke when you went there."

Despite the quiet appearance of the village, Mr Hamer said the fear of crime was never far away, with the post office itself having been targeted in another raid five years ago.

'Absolutely wonderful'

Mr Hamer added: "My house was ram-raided eight years ago.

"They drove the vehicle through my front door and they took the TV and video and other items."

Ros Blissell, 57, who has lived in the village for the past 25 years, described the family who ran the post office as "absolutely wonderful".

"What is going to happen to that post office now?" she said.

Ros Blissell said the family was "absolutely wonderful"

"Who is going to take it on? If that post office goes, it will be the old people who rely on it who will suffer."

For its residents it will take a long time for the village to go back to normal.

By Friday evening police cordons had been placed around most of the village and pedestrians and cars had been diverted away from its main road.

"It just seems to be a sign of the times," said another villager, who did not want to be named.

"Nothing happens here - it's nowheresville. But however safe you think you are you never know who's knocking at the door."