A vehicle was driven into the front of the building as raiders tried to get away with a cash machine in the early hours of Saturday.
The raid was unsuccessful but caused a huge amount of damage. A large hole was left behind and bricks, stone and glass were strewn about the footpath and road.
The post office has since been boarded up with a notice telling customers it is closed until further notice.
People who live and work in the village said the post office was an essential part of the community and they described the raid as nothing more than uncalled for violence.
Pharmacist John McElroy, who works at Rowlands Pharmacy next door to the post office, said he was shocked when he turned up for work on Saturday morning and the area was cordoned off by the police
"I was here at 8.40am. There was stone work and bricks all over the pavement. The floor of the post office was up and there was rubble everywhere," he said. "The post office is an important part of the community. We use it and it will cause a lot of inconvenience for people."
Villager Mrs Barbara Robinson agreed the post office was a valuable asset to the area and described the raid as 'uncalled for violence'.
"It is an affront on the community," she said.
Mr Paul Fletcher said he had been away for the weekend and was shocked when he returned to hear what had happened.
"This is not what we want in the village," he said. "It looks a mess and people rely on the post office. Banks in the village have closed and it is important we have the post office open."
A resident of Sandholme Crescent, off Wakefield Road, said she had heard an alarm going off soon after midnight.
"It sounded strange, not like a normal alarm, but I couldn't work out where it was coming from," she said. "I was shocked on Saturday morning when I realised it was the post office. It looks a real mess. I'm pleased no one was hurt."
She said she found it hard to understand how the raiders managed to cause so much damage and drive at the building with such force. "It's strange no one was around," she said.
Temporary postmaster John Armstrong said he was sickened when he saw the amount of structural damage.
The raiders who left the scene empty-handed are believed to have used three vehicles. A white Nissan panel van was founded abandoned in the White Horse Inn car park further down Leeds Road soon after the raid. It had been reported stolen from the Batley area and is being checked out by forensic teams.
Witnesses are asked to contact police on 0845 6060606.