A Post Office worker has been hailed a “hero” after chasing a man armed with a kitchen knife and wearing a ‘red devil’ mask out of the shop.

The man went in the Post Office in Cardiff at around 8.30am on Tuesday morning and threatened the woman.

CCTV footage shows the brave shop worker grab a bat which she then used to try to knock the knife from his hands.

It shows the man, masked and with a large knife in his hand, then run out of the shop.

The man enters the shop wearing a mask (
Image:
Wales Online)
With a knife he then threatens the shop assistant (
Image:
Wales Online)

Postmaster Shady Taha, 33, said: “It was just normal day like usual. I was in the back doing some paperwork. All of a sudden I could hear a scream or a shout.

“I didn’t really think much of it first of all because normally we do have customers who scream or shout at their partner outside or kids.

“I stood by the counter to have a better look at the front and I saw a guy standing there. He seemed casual so didn’t think much of it.

The shop assistant bravely picks up a bat and frightens the assailant off (
Image:
Wales Online)

“I heard my colleague shouting my name, so I thought there is something wrong. I looked at the camera and I saw her with a bat trying to get at the guy and the guy had a knife with him.

“By the time I had run around to go and help he was already trying to run out of the shop and she also was coming round the counter to chase him out of the shop. She was the hero of the day.”

Police said the man fled the Post Office and they are now appealing for witnesses.

In a statement, the force said: “An attempt was made to rob the Post Office on Grand Avenue, Ely, at approximately 8.30am on October 25, by a man armed with what is believed to be a kitchen knife, wearing a ‘red devil’ mask.

“Officers believe he made his way to the area on foot, uphill towards the premises. A woman employee at the Post Office who was threatened by the man activated the alarm and fled from the premises.

“A police investigation has been launched and officers are looking for one suspect. Anybody who has information is urged to contact South Wales Police via 101 quoting reference 412037 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”