A postman’s trolley containing the personal details of hundreds of Putney residents was stolen in broad daylight, sparking fears of identity fraud.

The incident happened on June 27 in Buckland Court, in St John’s Avenue, after the postman went into a block of flats with a pile of mail.

Letters containing bank statements, credit cards and private information would have been in the trolley which was chained to a post outside the block.

The postman confirmed it was left unattended for less than 10 minutes when the assailant struck.

The post would have been destined for residents living in St John’s Avenue, Mercier Road, Rayner's Road and Carlton Drive.

One resident said: “A neighbour heard about this incident from our postman, and was told that all affected residents would be written to by Royal Mail. We passed on the news to our own group of neighbours, and waited for the letter to arrive. Nearly 2 weeks later and no letter, although they have said they have been sent.”

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: “We wrote to customers last week regarding the incident following the police report. A thorough investigation confirmed that the postman concerned had acted correctly in securing the trolley.

“We would urge anyone with any information on this crime to contact the police immediately so that those responsible can be arrested and prosecuted. Thefts or break-ins to these trolleys are extremely rare because of their secure design.”

Putney MP Justine Greening has also promised residents that she will take up the matter with Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier.

This latest incident comes only months after it was revealed that Wandsworth is one of the boroughs most ‘at risk’ from identity fraud. And within the borough Tooting, Putney and Battersea were particular hotspots.

A spokesman for Wandsworth police said: “Police were flagged down by a postman on June 27 outside Buckland Court stating that his trolley had been stolen from that area.

“It was found shortly after in nearby Rayner’s Road by police and on examining the trolley found it to be completely empty. One eyewitness saw a male, about 30-years-old loading the trolley into a green car.”

If anyone has any information regarding this incident please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.