A REWARD has been offered by Royal Mail for help to solve a hijacking of a post van in Watford in June, in which a man was sprayed in the face with ammonia.

Two men escaped with a valuable haul following the robbery in Ascot Road at about 8.40pm on Thursday, June 8.

In the hijacking, one of the robbers, dressed in a bogus Royal Mail uniform, feigned illness and fooled his way into being given a lift by the van as it left the mail centre in Ascot Road.

A short distance along Ascot Road, the driver pulled over as the man pretended his illness was getting worse.

The driver was then squirted in the face with ammonia from a concealed bottle held by the offender.

A second offender, who had pretended to be an innocent passer-by, joined in the attack and the driver was forced to flee.

Royal Mail is offering a £15,000 reward for help leading to the arrest and conviction of the two robbers.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: 'We are working very closely with Hertfordshire Constabulary to solve this particularly nasty crime.

'It is shocking one of our drivers had dangerous chemicals sprayed in his face and had to flee further injury and, possibly, kidnapping.

'Royal Mail takes very seriously the security of its customers' mail and the safety of our people. We have a very good record in both. Unfortunately, it is impossible to eliminate crime when you are dealing with determined and vicious criminals.

'There must be somebody who knows or saw something. We would appeal to them to come forward and go to the police with any information to help crack this case.'

The bogus postman is described as 'distinctive', with ginger stubble on his chin and a scar across his face.

He spoke in an Irish or Liverpudlian accent.

The postal van - registration number S32SLC - was later seen being driven in tandem with a sky blue, old-style BMW, believed to be the offenders' getaway car.

The BMW was found a week later in the Colne Valley Waterworks on Tolpits Lane, West Watford, but the van has not been found.

Detective Constable Joe Quinlivan, of Watford CID, said: 'We are keen to speak to anybody who recognises the description of this offender or has any information which will help to identify those responsible.

'This was a nasty and clearly planned attack, which, if the driver had not escaped, could have resulted in more serious injuries.

'Similarly, if anyone has information about the stolen van or the BMW, or if anybody saw either vehicle in the areas mentioned in the days leading up to, or after, the robbery, they are urged to contact us on 01923 472000, extension 2494.

dallen@london.newsquest.co.uk