People power helps get Post Office open again after break-in

A POST Office targeted in a breakin that saw thieves escape with a significant amount of money reopened within days.

There had been fears that Maesteg Post Office might never open again following the raid on October 25 which saw windows smashed, cash taken, and a significant quantity of stamps with a high financial value stolen.

But thanks to the help of local people and the council, it was back up and running on Monday, November 6.

Five men have been arrested in connection with this incident and remain on police bail, according to South Wales Police.

Inquiries are ongoing and officers are still appealing for anyone to come forward.

But the owner of the shop, Sajaad Yasin, has been feeling more optimistic this week after people in Maesteg rallied together.

A company in the area funded a new alarm system which has meant that the business can operate securely for the meantime.

But Sajaad says they are still waiting for Bridgend County Borough Council to repair the windows, after being told they would help.

Sajaad said: “We are open at the moment because of the demand from the community and just waiting for a few other things now like the windows to be fixed.

“A local company stepped forward and offered the alarm system, because the Post Office wasn’t in a position at the time to fund it.

“We’ve been told one of the windows will maybe be repaired next week by the council and we are still without a shutter, so we are seeing how things progress at the moment.”

He said the “community support was massive” in terms of getting them up and running again and added: “That’s what’s helped us open this branch up because if it wasn’t for the community, we wouldn’t have opened up.

“The Post Office means a lot to people in the town, especially elderly people.

“Since we reopened, a lot of people were saying they were worried about accessing their cash, their money. And the amount of people who sent emails to the council asking them to support the reopening] just showed how much it means to people in Maesteg.

“We’re all wary now working at the Post Office after the burglary, and the staff that work with me are still a bit nervous about it all, but we’re reassured with the arrests and investigation that is going on.”

One local resident said: “The Post Office in Maesteg is more than just that – it is more like a community hub.

“The staff there are incredible and will go over and above their job description to help people, especially those vulnerable members of our community.”

Councillor Neelo Farr, cabinet member for community safety and wellbeing, said: “In a town of approximately 21,000 residents, the Maesteg community deserves access to Post Office provision.

“As landlord of the property at Maesteg Market, we are working with the Post Office operator to repair the damage, reinstate the security provisions, and to have the branch operating in its usual way as soon as possible.”