WINTERBOURNE’S sub-postmaster has thanked the village’s “amazing” community for their support after a devastating ram raid.
Virem Chudasama (above) was determined to reopen as soon as possible after thieves smashed a van through the front of the post office in Flaxpits Lane, causing extensive damage and stealing a safe.
He says support from well-wishers has been crucial, telling residents: “Without you I would be lost.”
The thieves reversed a silver pick-up van through the plate glass window of the post office shortly before midnight on the night of January 21, wrecking the shop area in front of the counter.
Mr Chudasama said he received an alarm from the premises at around 11.45pm.
The police had already arrived as he reached the shop.
He said the thieves had taken a small safe from behind the counter, which was empty at the time, but had caused “a lot of damage” inside and destroyed the whole shop front, which has cost £8,000 to replace.
Mr Chudasama paid for the replacement himself, rather than waiting for the insurers, to ensure it was done as quickly as possible and get the shop back to normal.
He said: “The first day when I saw the damage I was shocked, I was depressed, but I didn’t give up.
“I said, I have to open the post office the next day – and we were open the next day.”
At first the shop reopened while boarded up but the new front was installed on January 28.
Mr Chudasama, who runs the post office with his wife and son, said the response from the local community had been “amazing”.
He said: “Without the community response we would be lost. With our their support we wouldn’t be able to open the post office.
“We had a florist come to my house with a box of chocolates and flowers.”
The crowdfunding pages have been set up to raise money for the family, and between them have raised more than £4,000 so far.
Mr Chudasama said he hadn’t been aware of the donations but they would be “so helpful”, adding: “It’s amazing, the community we have in Winterbourne.
“Without you I would be lost, the Winterbourne Post Office would be lost; thanks for your support.”
One donor said: “Our post office is at the heart of our community and I have witnessed first hand the kindness they share to others – now it’s our turn to give back.”
One of the donation pages can be found here and the other one is here.
CCTV footage recorded in the area shows a pick-up van being reversed through the shop front.
An Avon & Somerset police spokesperson said: “Officers attended a business in Flaxpits Lane, Winterbourne, at around 11.50pm on January 21 after we were notified of an alarm being activated.
“A silver van had collided with the building and two men were seen entering the shop.
“They left a short time later.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
Police are calling on anyone in the area who witnessed the incident or thinks they have doorbell or dashcam footage to call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5225 017 923.