Postmen may boycott estate over gang attack

Postal workers are threatening to suspend deliveries to a London housing estate after one was attacked by a 20-strong teenage gang as he was on his rounds.

One youth hit the 44-yearold postman round the head with a belt buckle while others punched and kicked him. Another threw a manhole cover at him.

The man was taken to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel with eye injuries, but allowed home after a brain scan. He has been off work for several days. Letters were left scattered in the street. Town Hall staff later returned them to the Royal Mail.

The Communication Workers' Union condemned the attack on the Brownfield estate in Poplar. It is holding talks with management, but warned staff may refuse to make deliveries to the estate.

East London branch secretary Peter Groom said: "These kids might only be 16-year-old muggers today, but they could grow up to be 21-year-old murderers."

Detectives are appealing for information about the incident involving the mixed-race gang. The ringleader is described as an Asian youth with dyed blond hair.