Dynamic duo

A dynamic duo from Cornwall combined in a thrilling operation to thwart a robber who stole one of our vans at knifepoint – and made national news with their heroics.

Helston delivery office manager James MacDonald and line manager Rob Woodward leapt into action when postman Anthony Giles called to report the incident in the village of Mullion.

While Rob alerted the police and attempted to locate the van using tracker data, James left in his own car to check on Anthony – who was shaken but unhurt.

‘About halfway there, I saw a Royal Mail vehicle coming towards me and realised it was the thief, so I did a U-turn,’ says James.

He kept the stolen van in view while keeping his distance and sticking to speed limits. Unaware James was in pursuit, Rob was amazed to see the van approaching the delivery office on his tracker.

‘I thought, “He can’t possibly be coming here”. But then I heard the police sirens,’ he says. ‘James blocked him in with his car, and the guy came into the yard on foot, where I confronted him. He started walking back through the car park. I pointed him out to the police who grabbed him.’

The story received national headlines, with the likes of BBC News covering the duo’s heroics.