Armed robber hits four post offices in one afternoon.

Officers think Fife thefts plus one in West Lothian are linked to same thief

A manhunt has been launched after three Fife post offices, and a fourth in West Lothian, were all targeted by an armed robber in the space of a few hours.

Police believe the same man was responsible for all four incidents at premises in Burntisland, Cowdenbeath, Kincardine and Linlithgow throughout the day yesterday, with several thousand pounds thought to have been stolen.

It is not known if the suspect was acting alone or as part of an organised gang, but detectives have revealed that he was wearing distinctive clothing – notably a high-visibility jacket – in each of the four incidents.

Post Offices throughout the area are now on heightened alert amid fears the person or people responsible could strike again.

The alarm was first raised in Linlithgow at around 11.25am, before similar raids or attempted raids were reported in Cowdenbeath, Burntisland and Kincardine respectively as the afternoon wore on.

In the latter, a female shopkeeper was assaulted, although her injuries were described as not life threatening.

Sums of money were stolen in Linlithgow, Burntisland and Kincardine, although the would-be thief failed to make off with any cash from his attempt on the Cowdenbeath branch.

The suspect in all four incidents is also said to have been carrying a knife, and staff were said to be left badly shaken by what had happened.

Detective Inspector Colin Robson, from Dunfermline CID, said: “These incidents were all extremely alarming for the staff involved and we are providing each of those affected with all the support they require while they assist us with our ongoing inquiries.

“We believe the same male was responsible for each of these crimes and would ask that anyone who can help us to identify this individual contacts police immediately.

“Anyone with any other information relevant to this investigation is also urged to get in touch.”

“We are also working closely with Post Office Counters with a view to raising awareness and prevent further crimes.”

The first Fife incident took place at around 12.15pm in Cowdenbeath High Street where a man tried to get behind the counter area. It is understood he was refused access by staff who raised the alarm, and the man left empty handed.

Around half an hour later, a man then made off with a four-figure sum from Burntisland High Street Post Office after threatening staff with a knife.

Officers were then alerted to a third incident in Fife at the Post Office within Nicky’s in Elphinstone Street, Kincardine, which occurred around 2.15pm.

On that occasion, a man with a weapon entered and assaulted the female shopkeeper before making off with cash.

Police later revealed that officers are considering the links to an earlier theft in Linlithgow.

That took place at the Post Office in Linlithgow High Street at around 11.25am, when a man entered and stole cash from the till.

The suspect in each incident is described as white, in his 30s with a stocky build, with stubbly complexion.

He was also wearing dark clothing and a high-visibility jacket.

The spate of thefts or attempted thefts came just days after a similar raid in the village of Glenboig in north Lanarkshire, and again appears to have involved a man wearing a high-visibility vest over a dark jacket.

In that incident on Friday, a 56-yearold woman was left “very distressed” as the robber threatened her with a weapon and demanded cash.

He then made off on foot with a fourfigure sum towards Moodiesburn.

Police there said they believe the Glenboig incident may be linked to an attempted robbery in Clarkston on Saturday, and detectives in Fife will be liaising with their colleagues from Lanarkshire to see if those two instances are linked to yesterday’s robberies.