A subpostmaster who was asked to pay almost £9,000 after an armed robbery on his premises has been told he is not liable for the loss after all.
David Taylor of Cefn Mawr Post Office in Wrexham was stunned when he received notice from the Post Office that it held him partially liable for the money taken because he had breached security regulations. David appealed and it has since reversed the decision.
The incident took place in July when three men burst into the store, held a gun to David's wife's head and demanded money from the safe.
The robbers made off with £54,000 and, while £14,000 was recovered by the police, David was told he was liable for £8,835 as both the stockroom and the safe doors had been open. "We were getting the money ready for collection so it was in use," David explained.
He added that if he had been forced to pay up, it would have had a devastating effect on his business. "A subpostmaster I know refused to pay after being held liable and had his post office taken away," said David. "I love the area too much to leave and the community needs the post office. I'm glad that common sense has prevailed."
A Post Office statement regarding the network's safety regulations said: "The Post Office has in place clear guidance and rules on security to help protect its branch network and everyone who works there and, of course, the customers who visit our branches. We work closely with subpostmasters to support them with security matters and to offer appropriate advice."
David Taylor of Cefn Mawr Post Office in Wrexham was stunned when he received notice from the Post Office that it held him partially liable for the money taken because he had breached security regulations. David appealed and it has since reversed the decision.
The incident took place in July when three men burst into the store, held a gun to David's wife's head and demanded money from the safe.
The robbers made off with £54,000 and, while £14,000 was recovered by the police, David was told he was liable for £8,835 as both the stockroom and the safe doors had been open. "We were getting the money ready for collection so it was in use," David explained.
He added that if he had been forced to pay up, it would have had a devastating effect on his business. "A subpostmaster I know refused to pay after being held liable and had his post office taken away," said David. "I love the area too much to leave and the community needs the post office. I'm glad that common sense has prevailed."
A Post Office statement regarding the network's safety regulations said: "The Post Office has in place clear guidance and rules on security to help protect its branch network and everyone who works there and, of course, the customers who visit our branches. We work closely with subpostmasters to support them with security matters and to offer appropriate advice."
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