Accrington Post Office staff have liquid sprayed in face

Police were called to Abbey Street at 5.30pm on Friday after reports a man had entered the building and attacked the members of staff.

A bystander is also thought to have been hit by the substance.

The attacker ran off after the incident and all four victims were taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital with skin injuries.

Abbey Street was closed while police dealt with the incident. Fire crews and a hazardous materials appliance were also on the scene.

A police spokesman said: “We were called at around 5.30pm today (Friday, May 10th) to the report that a man had gone into the post office on Abbey Street in Accrington and sprayed three members of staff in the face with an unknown substance.

“A member of the public was also injured. The man has demanded cash in what appears to be an attempted robbery. We employed a multi-agency approach along with the fire service, hazmat specialists and the ambulance service.”

Taimo Ahmed, from Accrington, said: “I’m shocked to see so many police cars and fire engines here. I’m very concerned about what has gone on.

“Nobody really seems to know what’s happening. There’s some talk of an incident at the post office. Whatever has gone on I hope everyone is okay.”

Four police officers were guarding the entrance to the post office at around 7pm and five police cars were stationed outside.

The road was cordoned off between Peel Street and Infant Street while investigations took place.

After the immediate police response detectives from CID arrived to make door-to-door inquiries. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting log no 1057 of May 10.