Second mail suspension for Risca residents after postman with police escort is “verbally abused”

Deliveries of residents’ post to a street in Risca continue to be suspended, after Royal Mail workers were again verbally abused, despite the presence of a police escort.

Last week, the postal service confirmed that a number of addresses on Holly Road, Risca, had been refused delivery of their mail following concerns over the safety of its workers during an “incident” on Thursday June 15.

Royal Mail staff had been “threatened and intimidated, including having items regularly thrown at them”, a spokeswoman said.

Residents had been advised to collect their mail from a delivery office in Abercarn – nearly five miles away – or have it redirected to another address.

However, on Thursday June 22, the Royal Mail attempted to resume deliveries to the affected addresses on Holly Road with the aid of a Gwent Police escort, but staff were subjected to verbal abuse and the suspension was enforced once again.

The spokeswoman added: “Royal Mail did attempt deliveries to residents in Holly Road, with the police in attendance. Unfortunately one of our postmen was again abused verbally.

“The suspension of deliveries will remain in place until we can meet with Caerphilly County Borough Council and Gwent Police to see what can be done to resolve this issue, so that our people can deliver safely without any kind of threats as they carry out their roles.”

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector, Jim Neesam, said: “We understand that there are heightened emotions in the community at this time but we urge members of the public to refrain from making unhelpful or negative remarks towards members of the postal service.

“Our offer of a police representative in the area while deliveries are being made, is still available if and when deliveries are resumed.

“Anti-social behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. We are working with our partners and the Royal Mail to resolve this situation as soon as possible.”