CRIMINALS wreaked havoc in the week leading up to Christmas, ensuring a miserable festive season for their hapless victims.

Two men tore into the Norwood Green Post Office in Norwood Road, Southall at 5.30pm on Tuesday December 18.

One threatened the two members of staff with a silver handgun as the other closed all the shutters to prevent anyone outside witnessing the robbery.

The suspects tied up their victims with string and masking tape and rifled through the till and a safe. They eventually escaped with an amount of cash confirmed by police to be in excess of £40,000.

Police are looking for a man of Asian appearance in his mid-20s who was wearing dark clothing, and a black man with a black hooded top, black jeans and white trainers. Both men were wearing white plastic gloves.

Any information to DC Ian Warlow at Finchley robbery squad on 8733 5751.

A 28-year-old woman who was pushing a baby in a pram along Lady Margaret Road at 5pm on Saturday December 22 was carrying her bag on her shoulder.

She heard a whistle from behind and looked round to see a cyclist approaching. She stepped aside to let him pass her on the pavement and as she did so he grabbed the bag and rode off. The bag contained a video camera worth £700 and some nappies. Information to 8574 1212.

On the same day at 9pm, a 23-year-old woman was shaken and received a scratch to her face when a group of four males jostled her and stole her mobile phone as they were getting off the bus near the McDonald's restaurant in Acton High Street.

On Tuesday December 18 at 7.30pm, a 71-year-old woman had her bag snatched as she made her way home in Kingston Close, Northolt after drawing £40 out of a nearby bank.

A man ran up behind her and snatched the bag, pulling her to the floor as he did so. The suspect is described as 6ft tall, black, about 30 years of age and was wearing a black coat. Anyone with information on any of these offences should call 8810 1212.

By.Mark Choueke