Nervous postmen are refusing to deliver to a block of flats unless they are escorted by a band of female pensioners . Royal Mail will only bring post to the 100 flats on three days a week – instead of the usual six – and even then , will only deliver through letterboxes if a 69-year-old female councillor is stood at the postman ’ s side . His van downstairs , meanwhile , is watched by two ageing female residents of the block in case its tyres are slashed . A postman begins his round near Waterloo while elderly residents stand and guard his delivery van . Councillor Maria Linforth-Hall , 69 , escorts the postman around the building after Royal Mail refused to make deliveries at the block of flats . The bizarre arrangement began six months ago after a 34-year-old woman living in the flats was accused of assaulting a postman , as well as sending threatening emails to Royal Mail . Ironically , the building – Rowland Hill flats near Waterloo in central London – has the same name as the man who invented the penny black stamp and effectively created the modern postal service . Royal Mail initially refused to deliver there at all , forcing residents to take a bus to the nearest sorting office . Maria Linforth-Hall , a local Lib Dem councillor , complained – and eventually offered to act as a guard three days a week along with volunteers from the flats . Now every Monday , Wednesday and Friday a band of pensioners waits outside to ‘ police ’ the deliveries . Southwark Council has complained to regulator Ofcom in the hope of forcing Royal Mail to reinstate a proper service . Mrs Linforth-Hall said : ‘ We are hoping that it will be back to normal , but they are saying that it is unsafe without me or my fellows there to assist. ’ The arrangement of being chaperoned began when a 34-year-old woman living in the flats was accused of assaulting a postman , as well as sending threatening emails to Royal Mail . Her husband Tony , a former advertising boss who is also 69 , sometimes helps with the escort . He said residents are angry about the reduced service , adding : ‘ I spoke to a guy waiting for a hip operation who could miss it as a result of not getting his post immediately. ’ The woman at the centre of the row , council tenant Rachel O ’ Connor , alleged that it was the postman who attacked her in a lift rather than the other way round . Police took no further action due to a lack of evidence . But a source claimed the ‘ assault ’ involved nothing more than Miss O ’ Connor pushing the postman and the postman pushing her back . Southwark Council said it was ‘ working with ’ its tenant , who had apologised and signed an ‘ acceptable behaviour contract ’ . Nicola Blake , the local delivery office manager , wrote in a recent letter to residents : ‘ Royal Mail are unable to recommence a full mail delivery service . Rowlands Hill House near Waterloo . Southwark Council say they are working with the tenant to allow deliveries to begin again . ‘ In November 2012 a resident sent a series of complaints to the Royal Mail which became increasingly abusive and threatening ... in June 2014 the resident assaulted our delivery officer in the lifts . In December the tyres on our vehicle were slashed ... whilst this may be coincidental I am sure you will understand our concerns. ’ A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed it had investigated assault claims but that no one was charged . Miss O ’ Connor was unavailable for comment .
Royal Mail have refused to deliver post to a block of flats near to Waterloo . Comes after a a female resident was accused of assaulting a postman . Now Royal Mail will only deliver to the two flats 3 days a week instead of 6 . Even then they 'll only deliver if 69-year-old female councillor is with them . Another 100 ageing females also have to guard the van in case its tyres are slashed .