ARMED robbers raided a post office in a Bournemouth street yesterday afternoon.

Two men were seen dashing away from the Hambledon Road branch in Pokesdown at around 2.40pm after holding up cashiers.

Police have not confirmed the type of weapon involved.

At the time of going to press, the raiders had not been caught by armed officers, despite an extensive search by the police helicopter.

Gokhan Cayir, 29, was working at the Premier newsagent next door when a “distressed” woman rushed in.

“I had not heard anything, but a woman ran into the shop,” he said.

“She was very distressed, and she was crying. She said there had been a robbery. I went outside and saw two men running off.”

Mr Cayir said he went next door to check on Post Office staff members immediately.

Other traders in Christchurch Road said the robbery must have taken place “quickly and quietly”.

An eye-witness from a nearby business, who didn’t want to be named, said: “We heard a commotion outside, and minutes later five or six police cars were there and the helicopter was circling above.”

Angela Trott, owner of It’s Epic embroidery and printing shop across the road, saw the aftermath of the incident.

“I just noticed the owner of the Post Office talking to two men and pointing across towards this shop,” she said.

“That was before the police arrived. They said the robbers ran off in this direction so we are checking our CCTV to see if it has caught them.

“It is normally quiet round here. I was just saying yesterday I’m glad I don’t work somewhere with money on the premises, it’s scary.”

A member of the public reported that armed police stormed the Boscombe East Post Office branch first. He said: “It can be quite confusing as both post offices are on the same road.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them on 101 quoting incident number 10:241, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.