Daring Raid

Startled customers, waiting outside Horsham Road post office just before 9am on Monday, heard the shop s alarm system go off, as a red Vauxhall Cavalier came speeding towards them from a driveway at the side.

The getaway car, seen turning into the drive only minutes before, screeched into Horsham Road and sped off towards the sea. Within an hour, it was found abandoned half a mile away in Norfolk Place.

The robbers broke in through the back of the shop and are not believed to have been armed, but it is thought threats of violence were used to force the terrified post office staff to hand over the cash.

Officers on foot and in cars were joined by the police helicopter in the search for the robbers across a wide part of Littlehampton and on roads leaving the town.

Eye-witness John Uberoi, who lives nearby, said: "I was in the queue when I saw this red car going down the side.

"Minutes later, the car reversed at high speed, did a wheel-skid and went down towards the sea, I couldn t believe what I was seeing."

Police are appealing to anyone who saw the car being abandoned or driven in the Littlehampton area, either before or after the robbery, to come forward.

Witnesses and anyone with any information about the robbery should call the police on 0845 60 70 999 and ask for the incident management centre on ext. 81245, or call the anonymous Crimestoppers number on freephone 0800 555 111.