Postman hurt in mail van robbery

The postman had been delivering letters in Bellevue Road

A postman is recovering at home with cracked ribs and other injuries after he was attacked by two men who then stole his delivery van.

The Royal Mail worker was returning to his vehicle in Bellevue Road, Ramsgate, Kent, on Friday morning when he was approached from behind.

He refused to hand over his keys and was kicked and punched to the ground.

His van was found in nearby Granville Farm Mews, minus several mailbags of recorded and special delivery post.

Anyone who comes across the silver and red bags is asked not to touch them and to contact Kent Police immediately.

The rest of the van's contents were recovered by officers.

Det Insp Tony Hubbard said of the attack, which happened just before 0900 BST: "He was beaten and kicked to the ground very viciously."

The postman's wife told BBC South East Today that he had been left badly shaken and was in a great deal of pain.