RYEDALE MP John Greenway has called for urgent action to improve security at rural post offices.

His move follows recent robberies at post offices at Nawton and Helmsley, an attempted break-in at Hovingham, and the decision of three sub-postmasters to resign out of a fear of more attacks.

Mr Greenway said: "With security having been strengthened at post offices in urban areas I greatly fear that criminals are turning their attention to these rural post offices where security is less substantial and there is real anxiety amongst sub-postmasters that they will be the next to be targeted.

"I am also concerned that unless something is done as a matter of urgency, most sub-post offices will decide that it is not worth carrying on."

He said he had called on Alan Leighton, the chairman of the Post Office, to act swiftly. "It is not helpful that these sub-postmasters feel the future of their livelihood under threat anyway," he added.

"These sub-post offices are not hugely profitable.

"Government plans to withdraw the availability of cash payments for pensioners and Social Security claimants will make matters worse - no wonder so many of them are giving up."

Mr Greenway spoke out as security experts from Post Office Limited are due to visit rural offices over the next few days, to offer practical advice and support to any concerned sub-postmasters.

North Yorkshire Police crime prevention officers were calling on rural premises encouraging them to sign up to the Ringmaster telephone alert system.

But one postmaster, who asked not to be named, said he was concerned would-be offenders may think all rural post offices were poorly protected - which was not the case. "My fear is that the criminal element could now easily pick-up on the idea that every small office has inadequate security defence and would make easy pickings for a snatch raid," he said.

"A badly-planned operation by opportunist raiders, when confronted by unexpected resistance could provoke impulsive aggression resulting in a repeat of the Helmsley incident."

Updated: 11:53 Thursday, January 23, 2003