Police are investigating after two local Post Offices were robbed in the early hours of this morning.

It is believed that around £10,000 was stolen from a shop in Muirhouse.

The first break-in took place at the Barnton Post Office around 3am this morning.

Twenty minutes later, the group broke into the Muirhouse shop and stole two safes that contained cash.

Police officers responded to emergency calls but the group fled before they arrived.

Urfan Hussain, who runs the shop in Muirhouse, said the attack is “devastating.”

The 43-year-old said: “We have CCTV but they all had balaclavas and gloves on. “Our shop was hit around 3am. It is really bad. This will have a devastating impact on our business.

“They used these tools like the cutting equipment the fire brigade used for cutting cars.

“That is what they used to pull out the safes. There were thousands in these safes. 

“Our family has had this business for 35 years.

“It is disappointing as we spend time building up our business and these gangs just come along and take it away in a few minutes.”

Detectives are now working to establish if the robberies are linked and have asked anyone with information to contact them.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police in Edinburgh are investigating two break-ins at business premises in the Whitehouse Road and Muirhouse Gardens area of the city.

“The incidents are believed to have happened between 2.50am and 3.10am on Sunday, 28 December. Inquiries are ongoing to establish if the offences are linked and identify those responsible.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact the police immediately.”