Noisy burglars fail in post office raid

‘Skinny’ man sought after windows smashed

Police are hunting for would-be thieves who smashed the windows of a village post office during an attempted break-in.

Pluckley Post Office owner Sena Satheesuaran said he heard the crash of the windows in the shop below his flat between 9pm and 10pm on Saturday.

Thieves first tried to break in through some of the smaller windows but could not get inside, leading them to smash the larger window.

But the two men fled once Mr Satheesuaran opened his own window to check what was going on. He has since passed on CCTV images to the police.

He said: “First of all they tried to smash a window but they couldn’t get inside because of the shelves and then they tried to break the big glass.

“I live in the flat above and heard a big bang so I opened my window. They were making a big noise and then they were on their way.”

Mr Satheesuaran marked 10 years running the village post office last week, but his plans for a celebration are now on hold until the end of next week.

Pluckley Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Martin Chambers has asked for anyone with information to contact the police. He believes the main suspect is a man who was wearing a red baseball cap with blue jeans and a light brown coat.

He said: “They didn’t get into the shop, but they suspect one of the men had been at the shop three times to try to buy cigarettes on Saturday. When he tried to pay his credit card was declined, so he then just scarpered.

“They are pretty sure it was he who came back later that evening as he was quite skinny.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101 and quote reference ZY/004105/16.

Picture: Pluckley Neighbourhood Watch Pluckley Post Office, boarded up after the break-in attempt