Hero postie Gavin foils break-in on his rounds

A sharp-eyed postie proved he is also a first-class crimefighter by chasing off housebreakers while he was out on deliveries.

Gavin Wood was doing his round near Grantown when he became suspicious after seeing household items including a television set and a safe dumped at the side of the road.

He called the police but, worried officers would not arrive in time, he filmed the woud-be burglars and then tried to stop them escaping.

“I like my customers. I would do that for my customers any time,” he said.

Detective Sergeant Louise Thewlis, based at Aviemore Police Station, praised the “quick-thinking actions”.

Abrave postman interrupted his regular round to pursue a group of thieves who were breaking into a home in the Highlands.

Gavin Wood was out on his round in the Dulnain Bridge area, near Grantown, when he spotted some household valuables, including a TV and tools, dumped at the side of the road. Concerned, the postie of more than 20 years went into the nearby property and discovered a break-in in progress.

He chased the culprits away and then tried to smash the windscreen of the gold Volkswagen Golf they sped away in.

Mr Wood – who was left with a gash on his hand – has since shared the video footage he shot of the drama on his Facebook page and urged other residents in the area to be vigiliant.

The 39-year-old single dad from Grantown has been serving the Dulnain Bridge area for eight years.

Looking back, Mr Wood said he wouldn’t hesitate to act again to protect the livelihoods of his customers.

“Those burglars are the lowest of the low,” he said.

“You work all your life; I’m a postie and I’m not exactly on a big-paying job and these ones come along and just decide to go into people’s privacy. It doesn’t matter who it was, I would do it again in a second.

“They could have had a knife or anything, but I didn’t think about that.”

He added: “I’ve known my customers for eight years and it’s your typical postie round – you know everyone, you get a cup of tea, you get tips at Christmas and you can leave things in places.

“I would do that for my customers any time.”

Police later found the burned-out car in Elgin, nearly 40 miles away.

Detective Sergeant Louise Thewlis, based at Aviemore Police Station, praised the efforts of the community and confirmed they are following a “positive line of inquiry.”

She said: “We were made aware of a housebreaking that was ongoing around 2.15pm on Tuesday July 6 in Dulnain Bridge.

“We have since received further important information relating to this incident.

“A gold Volkswagen Golf believed to be involved was recovered by officers burned out in Elgin hours later.

“We are following a positive line of inquiry.

“I would like to thank those who have helped us with our investigation.”

Anyone with any information can contact police on 101.

FEARLESS: Post worker Gavin Wood chased thieves.