don't mess with my mum

[RosieH]

I'm very angry and a bit weird this morning. My mum has a village post office, and yesterday she had an armed robbery. After the guy made off with the money, she chased after him and only stopped when he pointed the gun at her and threatened to kill her. Which in a way I think is kind of uplifting and in most other ways absolutely terrifying and I want to kill her myself for being so stupid / brave.

And it makes me really mad that no one ever intervenes when someone's being aggressive on the bus. Then I read this morning about the guy who was killed in an armed post office raid on Friday. So it kind of makes sense. But I just wanted to say, "big up my mum".

[Ladygooner]

Heavens above! What a terrifying experience for your mum - so glad she is Ok although I am sure she is very shaken up. Where is her post office?

[annaj]

RosieH, how horrible for you and your mum, I'm gald she's ok.

I can imagine you must have very mixed feelings at the moment, pride, relief, fear and fury to name just a few, but with time I'm sure both you and your mum will recover from the shock.

Take the opportunity to tell her that you love her and give her a big hug.

[Keef]

Fair play to mum!

[bigbadwolf]

Reminds me of that Sylvester Stalone movie 'stop or my mom will shoot', all joking aside I hope both you and your mum get over this terrible event.

[SeanMacGabhann]

What everyone has already said basically. Glad she is ok and glad that she tried as well.

You feeling better yet?

[RosieH]

Thanks guys - I am feeling better now I've made it to Oxford to see her - and it helped just to vent a bit.

Ladygooner, mum's post office is in a village just outside Oxford - she had miss marple style visions I think of genteel semi-retirement (with maybe the odd murder over a custard cream) - instead she's been ram raided, mugged for the takings and now held up at gunpoint - I'm hoping she calls it a day.

And bigbadwolf, you're right - there is something comical in the image of a 60 year old postmistress chasing a masked gunman - I'm thinking of getting her ninja training for her next birthday.

[PeckhamRose]

Big up for your Mum and glad she is safe!!

Edited to delete references starting a subject on what we would do in an emergency...

That's not for here.

[Tony.London Suburbs]

I'm pleased she is O.K. Thank Heavens.

Will comment more on this in a couple of days.

[LegalEagle-ish]

Scary stuff. If she were to sell up, would she be able to have a decent retirement?

[indiepanda]

So sorry to hear about your mum, what a horrible experience for her not to mention scary for you too. Glad to hear she survived the experience and that you are feeling better now.

[bigbadwolf]

Did anyone see the news last night about that poor subpostmaster who was gunned down in Worcester defending his dad. The police think it may be a gang targeting post offices in the region. The offenders should be hung with piano wire!

[Gen17]

Your mum is one brave woman, RosieH.

I think if I had been ram-raided, mugged and held at gunpoint I'd be deciding to call it a day. If it's not Royal Mail closing down the rural post offices, it's that people can't feel safe running them. If she carries on, she deserves to receive danger money.

Glad all is well and you are feeling a bit better now.

[RosieH]

thanks everyone, and don't worry about the what you'd do in an emergency conversation - I'm not too sensitive about it - just glad to know my mum's safe after potentially very foolish behaviour.

She can't explain it herself - she says it was neither bravery nor stupidity, just reflex action on the adrenalin of the situation and with hindsight ahe might have done things differently. I think none of us ever really know how we'll react in that kind of situation or what the consequences might be (did anyone read the personal story in the front of the Guardian Weekend yesterday?), but I'm still dead proud of her.

[giggirl]

Rosie,

You will find that your mum gets a lot of support from her local community. A community tends to rally when it is threatened. I remember a few years ago there was an armed robbery in the sub-post office on Crystal Palace Road (since closed). George and his wife were held at gunpoint whilst a riddiculously small amount of cash was taken. They were very elderly at the time and also the sweetest, loveliest people you could ever hope to meet. I have very fond memories of George serving small children with sweets and treating them as though they were his most important customers ever - magic. Anyway, this crime had a real effect on anyone using the shop so I am sure your mother will feel the support of her whole community.

Years ago I once stood up to a robber armed with a knife. I told him exactly where he could put his knife and saw him off. Brave? You think? About an hour after the event I started to shake and cry.

I am so glad your mum is alright

Px

[Tony.London Suburbs]

2 Charming Young Men from Stockwell took a day trip out to Alfriston,a small Village in picturesque Sussex last year to raid the local Post Office of a really nice Family.

"Ironically" the Family felt the need to flee from London Town as they no longer considered it safe.

Members of the local Community saw these 2 lovable little urchins running out from the shop(found out later they had threatened the terrified Mum with a Gun) caught them and beat the living s**t out of them.

Sadly,sorry I mean luckily, these pieces of Human excrement survived and are now in one of Her Majestys Establishments....

p.s Being the fantastically "L"iberal place we have here I trust no-one will attach any blame to the poor misguided "yoof" who committed these crimes---it ain't their fault! Should just get a ?10 fine and a couple of hours "Community Service" whatever we do we shouldn't punish the little cherubs.

Think of The 'uman Rights of the robbers,the're the real victims here.

PEACE AND LOVE.

Ringo Starr.