Surrey Police is appealing for witnesses following an armed robbery in Caterham-on-the-Hill on Tuesday.

At 11.15am two men entered a post office on the High Street and began shouting at staff demanding money. Both men had their faces covered and were armed with small hand guns.

Staff were pushed to the ground and the robbers made off with an unknown amount of money.  No one was injured.

The suspects are described as black men, aged in their early 20s, one was approximately 5ft 7’ tall, and the other around 6ft. One suspect was wearing a black puffa jacket, blue ripped jeans a balaclava covering his face and gloves. The second suspect is described as wearing a black hooded jacket which had a white collar, blue jeans, a scarf covering his face and the hood up. A third suspect, who was waiting in a blue Renault Megane outside, was wearing glasses and is described as being of very large build. As the suspects escaped one of them removed his balaclava and revealed he had dreadlocks.

Senior Investigating officer, acting Detective Inspector Tony Giles said: “Although entirely unconnected to the Whyteleafe incident it is very concerning to us that two serious offences have taken place in Tandridge within a short amount of time.
“I would like to reassure the Caterham-on-the-Hill community that we are doing all we can to identify these robbers and we are working closely with colleagues in neighbouring Forces.
“Obviously this was a very frightening experience for the employees and we need your help to find those responsible for this armed robbery.
“We know the blue Renault Megane was stolen from Dulwich in December and perhaps you know someone who matches the suspects’ descriptions and has been driving this car recently? Or maybe you saw this car being driven away from the scene and can tell us which direction it headed?
“Officers from CID are working with the local Safer Neighbourhood Team and house to house enquiries have been carried out. We urgently need to know who was responsible for this robbery and I believe someone out there has the vital information required to ensure these three men are brought to justice.

“If you were in High Street, Caterham, between 11 and 11.30am on Tuesday, 19th January I want to speak to you as your evidence could make all the difference to this investigation.”

Enquiries into this incident are on-going but anyone who can help is urged to call Surrey Police immediately on 0845 125 2222 quoting reference P10018132 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Detectives from East Surrey are also appealing for witnesses to an attempted armed robbery outside a petrol station in Whyteleafe in the early hours of Tuesday, 19 January.

At 6.50am a security van arrived at the Godstone Road garage and two security guards exited the vehicle and entered the secured external ATM building.

As one of the guards made his way back to the vehicle he was punched in the face and his helmet was struck with what is believed to be a hammer.

The three offenders then escaped empty handed in a blue 4x4 which has been recovered burned out in nearby Searchwood Road, Warlingham. They then got into another car and left the scene.

One suspect is described as a white man the other suspect is described as a black man there is no description for the third suspect.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Dale Brunt said: “A team of officers are already chasing up a number of lines of enquiry and scenes of crime officers are forensically searching for evidence left by the suspects.

“I am urging members of the public to come forward and help us out with any information they may have relating to this offence. This was a nasty ordeal for the two security guards but fortunately they were not seriously injured. It is clear we need to identify and arrest these men in order to prevent them from committing further offences.

“Detectives are working closely with local Safer Neighbourhood Officers in order to identify and arrest these men. But you can help us out by providing me with the names of those responsible so I can remove them from the streets.

“If you were in Godstone Road, Whyteleafe, or near the BP petrol station around 6.45am on Tuesday I want to speak to you as you may have vital information.

“I am also very keen speak to anyone who was in nearby Searchwood Road, Warlingham, at around the same time, who may have seen three men getting out of a blue 4x4 and into another car and didn’t think anything suspicious about it at the time.

“If you have any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, please call Surrey Police or Crimestoppers if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Enquiries into this incident are on-going but anyone who can help is urged to call Surrey Police immediately on 0845 125 2222 quoting reference P10017933 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.