Crowland’s ram-raided Post Office is still out of action – with charity putting on Werrington bus trips

Stranded Crowland residents can now book a place on a bus trip to a Post Office -with the town’s branch remaining out of action almost two weeks after a ram raid.

A massive hole can still be seen in the front of The Spar after raiders used a stolen telehandler to rip the cashpoint from the front of the North Street store during the early hours of December 27.

Police have confirmed that no arrests have been made so far and it is not known when the store will re-open – forcing customers to travel to the nearest Post Office branches in Whaplode Drove and Deeping St James.

But Crowland Cares has stepped into the breach to organise a weekly bus trip from the town to Werrington Post Office starting on Monday, January 15.

Crowland Parish Council chairman Graham Searle, who is involved with Crowland Cares, feels that the Post Office should do more to help residents – especially with a limited bus service available.

He said: “I am disappointed that there has been no communication from the Post Office – they should have created a temporary branch here. I don’t believe there is a bus service to Deeping St James or Whaplode Drove from Crowland.

“I am told that a lot of elderly people use the town’s Post Office along with several mail order companies.

“Crowland Cares feel that there is a need for people to be able to get to the Post Office and are running a minibus service. It is open to people who are not Crowland Cares members.”

Wreckage from the ramraid can still be seen at the front of The Spar, which is now surrounded by security fencing.

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Police believe that a telehandler stolen from a nearby farm was used to ram the front of the store to pull free the ATM which was then loaded onto a white flat bed van at around 3.30am on December 27.

Officers said at the time that three or four suspects were believed to have been involved in the incident and two were seen to run off.

The force says that it’s investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

The Post Office has apologised to customers and says there is no time-scale on when the town’s branch will re-open.

A spokesman said: “We are supporting the operator of the branch, who is assisting the police in their efforts. We would urge anyone with information to contact the police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

“Crowland Post Office is temporarily closed due to damage caused to the premise. It is not yet known when the branch can re-open. We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused and thank them for their understanding. Alternative branches in the area include Whaplode Drove and Deeping St James. There are also closer part-time outreach branches. Please visit www.postoffice.co.uk/branchfinder for opening times and services offered.”

Crowland Cares minibus service will run from 1.30pm every Monday from January 15.

If you would like to book a seat on the Crowland Cares trip to Werrington Post Office contact 01733 211797. The suggested donation is £3.

- Should more be done to provide a Post Office service for Crowland? Post a comment below.