DETECTIVES are warning village shopkeepers and Post Office staff after a gang of thieves struck at Pendock.

"A large sum of money" was stolen in the incident at Pendock Post Office on Saturday (June 9).

Police are not ruling out links with an incident last month, when a postmistress from Malvern Wells was assaulted in her own shop.

In this latest incident, three women, one with a baby, and two men, entered the shop at about 2.30pm. While the female assistant was distracted, one woman went behind the counter and stole the cash.

DC Steve Jenkins said: "Despite the fact there was no violence, this was an unsettling experience for the woman.

"From the description of those involved, and the method, we believe that this group may be responsible for other distraction burglaries as far afield as Shropshire and Herefordshire."

The offenders are described as having dark hair and being "eastern European" in appearance. The women were wearing long traditional dresses and the men, tracksuit trousers, polo shirts and baseball caps. All are believed to be aged around 30.

On May 16, the Malvern Wells postmistress was assaulted when she challenged a group of six men, two women and a child who tried to distract staff. The offenders left in a gold car, possible a Mercedes.