A SHOCKED newsagent has told of the moment a man leapt over her counter to steal a bottle of vodka.

Dilip Trivedi and wife Rohini have run D&R Newsagent’s in Bradford Street, The Haulgh, for 25 years — but were left shaken after this daring daytime raid.

The man was caught on the shop’s CCTV camera as he jumped over the counter at about 2pm on September 8 before snatching a vodka bottle and fleeing.

In their time in charge of the shop, the Trivedis have been targeted just once before, about 10 years ago.

Mrs Trivedi was behind the counter at the time of the raid, while her husband was at the cash and carry.

Her 20-year-old son Dhruv, who was upstairs at the time, gave chase but the man and his friend waiting outside got away.

Mrs Trivedi, aged 57, said: “I was just on the phone to my accountant when this man came in.

“He just jumped over the counter and grabbed the bottle. I shouted something after him, but they just ran away up Bury New Road.

“I was so scared as something like this has not happened around here for years.

“I am surprised as they must have known the cameras are all over the place in the shop.

“You do feel a bit safer because of them. That’s probably why I was so shocked.”

The CCTV image clearly shows the face of a man, aged in his late teens or early 20s, wearing a dark-coloured hoodie.

Mr Trivedi, who said the man waiting outside was wearing a white hoodie, added: “We would like help to make sure they do not commit more crimes over here or anywhere else.

“Thieves like this need to be caught.”

A police spokesman said: “We were called to a newsagent’s on Bradford Street at 2.41pm on September 8 to a report of shoplifting.

“The incident involved two men, one waiting by the door, while the other went inside jumped over the counter and stole a bottle of vodka before running off. No arrests have been made so far.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.