Grantown's 'have-a-go' postie praised by Royal Mail

A local postie who gave chase to two alleged burglars this week, slashing his hand attempting to prevent their escape, has been praised by his employers.

A Royal Mail spokesperson told the Strathy today: "Every day we receive reports of our people going above and beyond in the communities they serve.

"Gavin is yet another example of this.

"We are proud of the work our people do in the community, which often goes far beyond simply delivering mail and parcels."

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Gavin Wood was not even delivering mail to the house in question, which sits in a quiet corner of Dulnain Bridge, but early on Tuesday afternoon he was concerned about a car parked strangely on the lane and when he went to check he found what he considered to be a burglary in progress.

At the back of the house he saw a window had been smashed and there, in a wheelbarrow, was a safe which had been taken from the building which he maintained had been ransacked.

When he saw one of the men running he gave chase, all the way down the lane to the car.

“I thought I could stop them getting away,” he said.

“Not by standing in front of their car – they might have just run me over – but by stopping the car altogether.

“I smashed my hand through the windscreen from beside the car, hoping they’d not be able to see anything.

“But they just drove off at high speed.

“They shot straight out from the lane and anything could have happened at the junction.”

The 39-year-old single father had phoned the police before getting too close to the house, but officers were unable to attend for some 25 minutes. By then the men had bolted in their car, leaving property scattered on the lane.

Mr Wood added: “I know the owner of the house – I know all the people on my round very well, having been their postie for eight years now – and I knew nobody would be home for a little while, so I didn’t wait.”

A former footballer, among other sports, Mr Wood still keeps himself in shape even after retiring from the game some five years ago.

His dramatic chase has gone viral on social media and prompted widespread praise from the community, and even an ode to him from another villager.

Part of the post states: “Our young postman is what every place should have.

Our one is a cracker, we all know him as Gav.

Flies around our village. He waves as he goes by.

But he is a smart young man who keeps a watchful eye...”

The fulsome tribute was penned by Idj Shearer who, Mr Wood explained, was very grateful to him when a few years back his cottage narrowly escaped being gutted by fire thanks to the postman’s speedy action.

“There’s a lot goes on in Dulnain Bridge!” joked Mr Wood, a single father whose injured forearm has been treated for what he described as “a few scratches”.

Photos of the alleged culprits taken by the postman have been supplied to the police.

Detective Sergeant Louise Thewlis, based at Aviemore Police Station, said: “We were made aware of a housebreaking that was ongoing around 2.15pm on Tuesday, July 6 in Dulnain Bridge.

“Due to the quick-thinking actions of members of the community, the suspects were disturbed, so most items couldn’t be stolen, and we have since received further important information relating to this incident.

“A gold Volkswagen Golf believed to be involved was recovered by officers burnt out in Elgin hours later.

“We are following a positive line of inquiry.

“I would like to thank those who have helped us with our investigation so far. Anyone with any information relating to this incident can contact us on 101 quoting incident number 1645 of 6 July.”

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