POST Office staff have vowed not to be beaten by “low life scum” who robbed them with a stun gun.

Raiders targeted two post office stores in Suffolk and Essex.

The first robbery was at Park Street Stores and Post Office in Stoke-by-Nayland between 10.40am and 11.10am on Saturday where offenders used a stun gun on a post office worker before fleeing with a till.

Police have said a second robbery then took place soon afterwards at Mistley Post Office in High Street, Mistley.

In a Facebook post, Tendring Police said: “Officers from Clacton and Harwich have been in Manningtree following reports of an armed robbery at a business.

“It is believed this incident was linked to a similar incident in Suffolk that occurred a short while before.

“Units comprised of local response units, dog handlers and taser officers have attended and made quick time inquiries and area searches.”

A staff member from the Stoke-by-Nayland store took to Facebook to thank villagers for their concern.

The post said: “Following today’s robbery I want to thank everyone for their kind messages and support.

“These low life scum will not beat us.

“Have to praise Suffolk Police for their speedy response and actions.”

A Suffolk Police spokesman said: “Three offenders threatened staff making demands for money.

“One of the offenders produced a stun gun and used this against the member of staff causing no physical harm.

“The offenders made off in a vehicle with the till from the premises. No-one was hurt during incident.”

Carlo Guglielmi, Tendring district and Essex county councillor for Mistley, spoke out about the robbery after his former post office in Waldegrave Way was targeted last October.

He said: “It is concerning we have been subjected to this type of crime around here.

“It’s an awful state of affairs and we can’t blame the level of police - the police were quickly on the scene.

“It’s an awful experience, having been there myself.

“We weren’t there on the same day but the stress and the awful things connected stay with you for a long time.

“It’s an utterly deplorable crime.”

Police later arrested a 59-year-old woman, a 40-year-old man and a 48-year-old man on suspicion of robbery.

They were all taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

The 40-year-old man was released on police bail to answer on January 10, pending further inquiries.

The 59-year-old woman and 48- year-old man were both released under investigation pending further inquiries.

Any witnesses to the incident or anyone with information should contact Ipswich CID on 101, quoting crime reference 37/72433/18.

Alternatively anyone with information is asked to contact the crimefighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.