THIS is the armed robber who stole £2,000 during a terrifying raid at a post office in Kings Langley.

The image, taken from a CCTV camera, shows the masked man clad in dark, padded overalls and a distinctive flame-patterned motorcycle helmet, walking up the shop’s aisle before brandishing a silver handgun and demanding cash.

Speaking on Wednesday, Detective Sergeant Sam Khanna, of Hemel Hempstead CID, said the robber appeared outside the shop from the direction of Common Lane at 2.40pm on Wednesday, October 29. He looked through the window but did not enter. Then a few minutes later, he walked in and up to the till.

A lady and small child who had just been served were barged aside and he revealed a silver handgun. He then demanded money from the cashier, and took handfuls of notes before walking out of the shop. DS Khanna said he stole an estimated £2,000, with a large number of £50 notes.

The man then headed back towards Common Lane, and ten seconds later, the CCTV camera recorded a motorbike driving off.

A witness has since told police the motorcyclist rode along Hempstead Road towards Apsley, where he turned right at Red Lion Lane, narrowly avoiding a collision with another vehicle.

Police have now linked this incident to another post office raid in Bushey Mill Lane, Watford, on Monday.

The armed robber burst into the Bradshaw branch, which is set to close under Post Office Ltd restructuring plans, and threatened staff, at around 4.35pm.

The man, wearing dark trousers, a dark top and black crash helmet, parked his motorbike in Tudor Avenue, entered the shop and threatened staff with a silver handgun.

He demanded money and banged the weapon on the cash desk, smashing the glass.

The worker pushed an alarm and the robber left. He then rode his dark coloured bike along Tudor Avenue, towards Colne Way. No one was injured.

The man is described as of medium build and about 5ft 9in tall.

DS Khanna said the Kings Langley and Bushey Mill Lane incidents have been linked because of the type of venues, the time of day is early afternoon and the use of a silver handgun.

He said: “I’m going to keep an open mind. It may or may not be the same person. He is quite nervous this chap. No one is looking out for him. No one is standing at the door. We suspect it to be a local man. He headed towards Hemel Hempstead where the police are coming from, not the M25.”

Neighbourhood teams have reassured residents these are “extremely rare” incidents and are working to reduce fear of futher offences, and to prevent them.

DS Khanna said: “Although there have been a couple, these are extremely rare to happen in Hertfordshire full stop, as well as in the Kings Langley and Watford areas. They make big stories because they’re so rare so we ask people not to be worried or change the way they go round their day to day business.”

Chief Inspector Mike Pryce added: “These aren’t crimes that take a lot of organisation.

“We’re talking commercial premises that might have a couple of thousand pounds worth of cash that’s available. It’s nothing more scientific than that.

“They’re isolated incidents at commercial premises where nobody has been injured up to now. It’s not something people should change what they’re doing around.”

Anyone with any information can telephone 0845 33 00 222. Alternatively, telephone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.