Feel-good Friday

When posties Brian Edwards and Antony Hughes had their motorbikes stolen from the yard outside Burgess Hill Delivery Office, the thieves got more than they bargained for – and the police were handed two individuals who’d become known to them for similar thefts.

Katy France, Customer Operations Manager at Burgess Hill, explained: ‘Brain and Antony returned from delivery and came to ask where their bikes were. I thought they were joking around, so went out to the yard, but the bikes were nowhere to be seen.

‘I checked the CCTV and at around 1.30pm two people, dressed in black, appeared on the grass verge next to where the bikes were parked. They approached one of the bikes, and without starting it, pushed it out of the yard, then returned shortly after to take the other bike.

‘I noticed they’d disappeared down a twitten (aka a ginnel or snicket) on the opposite side of the road. I told my union rep who was standing close by, and he disappeared with a few other posties to have a look.

‘Twenty minutes later they returned, telling me they’d caught one of the suspects.

‘I went to make sure everyone was OK and found two security staff from a local business and five posties holding one of the suspects, waiting for the police to arrive.

‘15 minutes later two posties emerged holding the other suspect.

‘Unfortunately, the bikes were quite badly damaged, the wires had been cut, but we were pleased to have caught the people responsible and handed them over to the police.’

Warren Cubitt of the Security and Resilience Team said ‘the efforts of the members of staff who caught and apprehended the individuals was well and truly above and beyond’. 

The local community Facebook page mentioned the incident, with complimentary comments commending our posties on their first class service.

Please note: although we commend the action of our colleagues at Burgess Hill, Royal Mail has a duty of care and while we recommend colleagues challenge any unauthorised individuals on our premises, we do not recommend they challenge on their own or put themselves at risk – please report such matters to Security & Resilience and or the police.

Pictured left to right:

Greg Allen, Brian Edwards, Graham Walker, Daniel Montero and Antony Hughes.

Luke Martin is not in the picture, but was involved on the day.