ROYAL Mail has come under fire from residents after they stopped delivering post to a street in Risca.

More than 80 residents on Holly Road are believed to be affected by the decision to stop post on the street and residents have been told they will have to travel between four and five miles depending on their location to pick up their post at Abercarn Delivery Office.

Chester Chaffey, 71, said he saw a postal worker putting up a letter on some flat front-doors which read “due to concerns regarding crime in the area” postal services had been terminated.

He said: “On Saturday morning a few of us were out the front and saw the letter that said we have to get our post from Abercarn because of ‘crime in the area’.

“No-one has been told of what is happening and we want to know why.”

The 71-year-old said that he’s particularly “annoyed” because he is awaiting to hear the date of an upcoming operation.

He said: “I have an operation coming up to do with my throat. It is a serious one and I’m concerned that I could end up missing the date.

“I have no intention of going five miles to collect my post because I shouldn’t have to.”

He added: “I need the post to be delivered again so I can go for surgery.”

Steven Walker, 22, who also lives on the street, said: “We are not happy about it.

“I don’t drive so it will take me about an hour to get my post. I’ve ordered 22 items and not had anything.”

Another angry resident Dawn Livsey, 33, added: “It’s ridiculous.

“I recently bought items for my niece and they’re not here. I want the post now.”

Royal Mail spokeswoman Sally Hopkins said mail had been suspended to some addresses due to “concerns for the safety” of staff following an incident on Thursday, June 15.

She said: “Our staff have previously been threatened and intimidated, including having items regularly thrown at them as they try to deliver residents’ mail. The safety of our staff is of paramount importance to us.

“We apologise to affected customers. We have informed customers that we will hold their mail for collection from Abercarn Delivery Office around three miles away. Alternatively, customers can have their mail redelivered to an alternative address in the area.

“We are working with the local council and the police to find a way to resume deliveries safely as soon as possible.”

A spokesman for Caerphilly council said they are seeking to obtain further information from the Royal Mail about “the nature of the problems being encountered at this location”.

A Gwent Police spokeswoman confirmed the incident last Thursday and added no-one had been injured.

She said: “Officers are contacting the postal worker involved to discuss the matter further. Local officers patrol the area on a regular basis and we are liaising with the council concerning anti-social behaviour.”