Villagers in shock after post office shooting

2:44pm Friday 9th January 2009

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VILLAGERS in Belbroughton have been left in shock after a man was shot dead in an armed raid in neighbouring Fairfield.

The man - named as 29-year-old Craig Hodson-Walker - was shot in the chest during the raid, which happened at around 8.20am today (Friday January 9) at Fairfield Stores in Stourbridge Road, and he died shortly afterwards.

A second man, believed to be Craig's father Ken who runs the post office with wife Judith, was also shot in the leg during the incident - which saw three balaclava-clad offenders burst in with a handgun and sledgehammer.

Neighbouring villagers in Belbroughton have spoken of their horror at the news, which has sparked a major police investigation.

Furlongs district councillor Janice Boswell, from Belbroughton, who uses the popular post-office regularly, was horrified to hear the news.

She said: "They're such a wonderful family.

“They’re the life and soul of the village; they’re the most wonderful people - so helpful and honest. They’ve only just won an award for the best post office.”

Bromsgrove District Council leader Councillor Roger Hollingworth added: "This morning’s incident at Fairfield was deeply shocking to the residents of the village and the district as a whole.

"As a District Council we want to extend our thoughts to the families of the victims.

Fairfield is a peaceful village which boasts a close-knit community which now must work together to help police bring these criminals to justice.”

It is believed the armed robbers used a stolen silver Volkswagen Golf to escape, but the vehicle was abandoned within minutes in nearby Bourneheath Lane.

Police helicopters have been searching the area, nearby Fairfield School has been closed and more than 200 police have been assigned to the case.

Detective Superintendent Jon Groves, of West Mercia Constabulary’s Major Incident Unit, warned people not to approach the “dangerous” offenders and at a press conference in nearby Catshill he made a desperate appeal for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

He said: “We are determined to bring these offenders to justice as soon as possible.

“We believe they travelled to the scene in a silver Volkswagen Golf, with the registration W337DDN.

“It is also believed this vehicle would very likely have been caught in rush hour traffic on the approach to the Stourbridge Road island at the junction with the A491, Sandy Lane, several hundred metres from Fairfield Stores.

“We are therefore appealing for anyone who may have seen this vehicle in the traffic there this morning to get in touch with us as a matter of urgency. “They may potentially have seen the occupants before they put on their balaclavas and have information vital to our inquiry.

“We know this vehicle was bearing false registration plates and was stolen from Solihull on December 31. The correct registration for this vehicle is GP53 FJJ.

“Obviously we are also anxious to speak to anyone who may have seen the vehicle between Wednesday December 31 2008 and the time of the robbery.

“Any information people may have, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could provide a vital lead.”

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call West Mercia Constabulary on 0300 333 3000 or ring crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.