VIDEO: Knife robber caught on CCTV

6:31pm Wednesday 2nd January 2008

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By Charlotte Bradshaw »

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A DEFIANT shopkeeper was threatened with a kitchen knife in an off licence raid.

The store's CCTV captured the moment that two hooded men entered Budget General Stores in New Wellington Street, Blackburn, and one pulled a knife on the owner Azar Hussain.

Mr Hussain, who had his 10-year-old son Raes with him, had the blade held up to his face while the robber shouted: "Give me all your money" before insulting him.

He said he was ready to give the robber "a clout over the head" and when he refused to hand over cash the raider grabbed the till and ran out with an accomplice who was waiting at the door of the Mill Hill store.

Mr Hussain, 37, whose wife Corrine was upstairs with their three-month old baby Dean and son Awais, five, said: "I pressed the panic button and the alarm started going off. That made him panic so he started yanking at the till. While he was doing that I was looking for something to hit him with under the counter.

"I was going to give him a clout over the head because I was not going to hand over the money but my son was there so my concern was for his safety.

"I tried to chase them but they'd already gone by the time I got round the counter.

"I don't know how they got away so quick because the till is extremely heavy."

Mr Hussain added: "Our son has been having nightmares about it. He has been calling out in the middle of the night so it's been very traumatising for him."

They escaped with a heavy industrial Samsung till containing around £500 in cash.

His wife Corrine added: "It makes me sick to think of the levels that people will stoop to. I hope somebody saw something and is able to give the police the information they need to catch these scum bags."

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "We were called to Budget Stores on Sunday night after two males entered the premises.

"One man took out a knife and threatened the shop keeper before making off with the till from the counter.

"It is believed they escaped into Moorgate Street and into a back alleyway. We are currently viewing CCTV footage and would appeal for any witnesses to come forward with information."

The men are described as white, aged in their 20s and wearing dark hooded tops and tracksuit bottoms.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Blackburn Police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.