A POSTMASTER was tied up and beaten by a masked gang during a ‘brutal and pre-planned robbery’ at his shop.

Mohammed Iqbal, 31, was restrained with cable ties after thugs, dressed in white CSI-style suits, broke into his post office in Rishton.

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The three raiders stole a ‘substantial’ sum of cash from the safe and also made off with the victim’s car after the 30-minute ordeal.

The post office, on the corner of High Street and George Street, had £33,000 stolen during a similar incident last November which left Mr Iqbal’s sister and business partner, Saima, injured.

Police said the gang attacked Mr Iqbal, from Preston, as he closed up for the day.

They threw a sheet over his head before they tied him up.

He was later discovered by his sister when she became concerned that she could not get in contact with him.

Detective Inspector Simon Upton, of Blackburn CID, said: “This was a brutal and pre-planned robbery involving the use of violence against the postmaster who has been through a traumatic experience.

“Fortunately, robberies of this nature are still relatively rare and we are carrying out a thorough investigation to bring to justice these offenders.

“I would appeal to anyone who saw any suspicious activity or who has any information to contact the police.”

The building and part of George Street were cordoned off after the incident, which happened at around 5.30pm on Friday. A dozen police officers were investigating as the shop’s alarm continued to sound into the night.

Mr Iqbal’s car, a Vauxhall Corsa, was found abandoned in Eachill Road, around 400 yards away, a short time later.

The post office, which is normally open from 9am to 12.30pm on Saturdays, was instead closed with a PCSO guarding the door the morning after the robbery.

Rishton Labour Cllr Ken Moss said the culprits would be to blame if the town lost its post office as a result of the latest incident.

He said: “That is twice now within seven months it has been robbed and it is a real shame.

“We have never had this situation before .”

An ambulance was called to treat Mr Iqbal at the scene, but his injuries – bruises to the head and body – were not serious.

He has given a statement to police, who described him as ‘very shaken up’.