A DAIRY company in Chirk will no longer be taking payments at customers’ doors after one of its drivers was threatened with a weapon for his takings.

Edwards Dairies based in Maes-y-parc have long taken cash payments at the door of customers, but the recent incident has forced them to revoke that service.

The incident happened in Ruabon on Friday, July 26. Two people on a motorbike approached the driver and threatened him with a hammer while demanding he handed over the cash he had taken that night.

Company partner Louis Edwards-Jones said the decision to no longer offer the service has been a tough one to make, but one that has been made with the safety of their drivers in mind.

“It’s frustrating because we’ve always had that personal touch with our customers,” he said.

“Our customers get familiar with the drivers as they all have a certain area.

“Our staff and customers are now going to lose that relationship.

“Our drivers won’t lose out on money, but it shouldn’t have to be this way.

“I just hope all of our customers understand and support our decision.

“Our drivers’ safety comes first ultimately.”

Luckily, the driver was not harmed by the incident, but was sent home from work after the incident.

Louis added: “The driver in question is now ok. He was very shaken up at the time and once he’d returned to the depot on the night, he was sent home.

“He was obviously very shocked at the time, but he’s doing well now.”

Louis is disappointed that some customers will now lose interaction with drivers which has been a way of socialising for some of them.

He said: “We have a lot of OAPs who use our services and still like to see people at the door.

“A lot of them are quite against card and online payments, but unfortunately this hard decision has had to be made.

“People are more than welcome to come and pay by cash at the depot, but we will no longer be coming to peoples’ doors.”

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “A delivery vehicle was parked in a layby.

“One satchel containing cash takings was stolen by a man wearing a motorcycle helmet.

“The man wearing the helmet allegedly threatened the victim with a hammer.

“No contact was made, and the victim was not hurt.

“The takings were taken by the man on a motorbike, possibly with the help of a second person.

“Anyone with any information, please call the police on 101 quoting reference X106411.”

Louis added that customers who still wish to pay by cash can do so by visiting the depot in Maes-y-parc.

Customers can also pay online at www.edwardsdairies.co.uk, over the phone on 01691 778266 or by setting up a direct debit.