News

Postmaster Jit Singh suffered head injuries in raid
advertisement

Shopkeeper wielded scaffolding to fend off raiders

By Lewis Rudd and Alice Murphy
February 03, 2010

The partner of a postmaster beaten over the head with a hammer has hit out at the “cowards” behind the attack.

Devenderjit Singh, 53, known as Jit, and his wife Debbie Kaur were attacked by two robbers who targeted Hurst Village Stores and Post Office in The Street on Thursday morning.

The shop was hit at around 4am while the pair prepared the shop for opening, hitting Mr Singh, who suffered head inujuries, before striking Mrs Kaur left arm several times.

Both are now recovering at home following hospital treatment.

Mrs Kaur said: “It came as a complete surprise. Jit was bringing in the newspapers and I was in the back when I heard a noise.

“I went to see what all the commotion was when I saw two men. It looked as though they had hit him on the head because he was rolling on the floor and screaming.

“We keep a bit of scaffolding behind the counter so I tried and fend them off. One of them hit me so I tried to hit him, but he hit me again.

“Jit realised they didn’t care and told them to stop and he would get them the money. I pressed the panic alarm but they didn’t hesitate.

“One of them was very aggressive.

“We are counting our blessings because it could have been a lot worse.

“They are just cowards who did this.”

The men escape with a significant amount of money.

The attack is the second to take place at the store in little over a year.

Last February Mr Singh chased away three robbers who threatened him with an ice pick and a hammer.

The shop was closed on Thursday while detectives investigated.

Jitu Miah, owner of Hurst Bakery, said: “It’s terrible. A lot of people in the area feel quite threatened.

“Jit must be devastated. Who would want to run the local shop after this?

“You can’t run a business always having to look over your shoulder.

“Hurst is a very safe place but this is worrying.”

But Mrs Kaur said they will continue to run the store, which they have owned for six years.

“We are going to carry on because we can’t let them win,” she said.

“This is our livelihood and we won’t work 16 hours a day for someone else to come along and help themselves.

“The support of the village has been incredible and we would like to thank everybody. It makes us more determined to carry on.”

Detective Sergeant Carl Bradford, from Loddon Valley CID, said: “I would like to speak to anyone who has any information about this incident.

“This type of offence is rare in this area, and I would like to reassure the public an investigation is underway.”

Contact Det Sgt Bradford on 08458 505 505, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

- A man has been arrested and bailed in connection with the incident until Friday, February 26.

| Submit Comments | View Comments (8)

« Previous Story | Next Story »

Most recent user comments 8 of 8

Show 15 | 25 | 50 per page

Wrong question!

SIG.
3/02/2010 at 16:06

Thanks SIG. but how can I have this "wrong" when I was asking a question?

Millicent Reeves, Twyford
3/02/2010 at 15:46

Millicent Reeves, Twyford.

You've got this so wrong, anyone should have access to anything they need to protect their family in their homes or businesses, the threat of jail time, should be secondery to the protection of the innocent.

SIG.
3/02/2010 at 15:36

"I must say i'm suprised any one would target such a quiet village .." I think that's the point. There is so much on street CCTV in built up areas and the traffic is so congested that the thieves pick on out of town areas where the chances of being picked up on a security camera mounted in the street is less and the chances of making a quick getaway are greater.

Terry King
3/02/2010 at 12:13

"We keep a bit of scaffolding behind the counter"

It's a good job he didn't connect or he'd be in court himself. (Rightly or wrongly)

Are you allowed to keep such a weapon to hand? It's one thing grabbing a handy broom or maybe a golf club, as if "I was just popping out for a round when they broke in" but some scaffold tube?

Millicent Reeves, Twyford
3/02/2010 at 12:09

I must say i'm suprised any one would target such a quiet village i use to go and see my great grandmother and other realtives in the village for many years and to hear that the village is a target of such a crime it makes me think what has happened to the UK

Loyalroyalinoz
3/02/2010 at 11:08

"This type of offence is rare in this area, and I would like to reassure the public an investigation is underway." .... "squawk ! who's a pretty boy"

In all seriousness though, I sincerely hope they catch the scum, and bravo to the Kaurs on their resilience... I doubt I would be so courageous.