This is the shocking moment a gang of balaclava-clad teens battered a shop worker before stealing vapes and fizzy drinks.
The shop assistant was working in a newsagent in Northampton when a group of around 15 burst into the store on Tuesday evening.
CCTV footage shows the gang surrounding the worker who was pinned against the doors of the fridges.
The brutal attack that lasted 16 minutes happened in front of a customer who was forced to watch in horror as the gang repeatedly punched and kicked the worker.
In the footage, one boy appears to be trying to convince the worker that he is 18 so he can buy a vape.
While he is talking, another boy snatches a fizzy drink from the fridges and exits the shop without paying, causing the unnamed worker to chase after him.
Just three minutes later at 7.57pm a bigger group then enters the shops, throwing bottles of drink at the worker before unleashing a flurry of punches at him.
Then at 8.08pm a lone teenager arrives, demanding the worker hand over his phone saying ‘give me the phone bro’ before dragging him over the counter in a violent clash lasting two minutes.
The shop assistant was working in a news agent in Northampton when a group of around 15 burst into the store on Tuesday evening
CCTV footage shows the gang surrounding the worker who was pinned against the doors of the fridges
Shop owner, Vishal Patel, 46, revealed that around that there was £2,000 worth of damage following the raid as well as the stolen stock
When the shop worker tries to call for help, he snatches the phone out of his hand.
It was the second attack on the shop, named at Norman’s News, in just two weeks.
Shop owner Vishal Patel, 46, said there was £2,000 worth of damage following the raid as well as the stolen stock.
Despite the horrific attack, the shop worker escaped major injuries and is currently recovering at home.
Mr Patel said: ‘He’s injured, his eyes are red from the punches. Three of my workers now don’t want to work the 5pm to 9pm shift.
‘The gang came last week as well and took some drinks from the fridge. We tried to get it back this time.
‘They didn’t have any weapons they just attacked with their fists.
‘The police told me if they come back again just ring us but 30 turned up yesterday but the police didn’t turn up.
‘It’s been two days and I still haven’t seen the police yet.
‘I just don’t feel safe here. I am feeling unsafe and my three staff don’t feel safe.
‘I’ve been doing the 7am until 9pm shift as I don’t have any staff. I’m scared and had to get my friend in the shop with me in the evening.
‘I want to feel safe here.’
The brutal attack that lasted 16 minutes happened in front of a customer who was forced to watch in horror as the gang repeatedly punched and kicked the worker
It was the second attack on the shop, named at Norman’s News, in just two weeks
Mr Patel, who was not at the premises at the time, is calling for a greater police presence in the area during the evening.
The father-of-two said: ‘If these gangs of 10 to 15 kids come again, I won’t be able to stop them and I’m not getting support from the police.
‘I’m feeling unsafe here. I’ve been a shopkeeper for 15 years and it’s never been like this.
‘Police need to do something to stop these gangs. I’ve requested more police on the street from 5pm until 9pm but they never come.
‘If they did, these things wouldn’t happen. Yesterday, nobody came because police said the gang has gone. They say they patrol but I don’t see anyone.
‘These gangs, they have alcohol, I think they’re being served alcohol, underage kids, so they’re drinking.
‘I think they’re drinking alcohol and smoking weed. Their reaction and their behaviour are influenced by this.’
Julie Davenport, councillor for Delapre and Rushmere, said: ‘Youths in balaclavas are becoming a trend – it’s intimidating and the knives make it even more scary.
Mr Patel, who was not at the premises at the time, is calling for a greater police presence in the area during the evening
‘People are scared. More needs to be done and incidents need to be taken seriously.’
A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: ‘This was a report of a robbery made to us at 8.15pm on April 29, at a business in Drapery.
‘The caller reported a group of up to 15 young people had entered the store, assaulted a member of staff, stolen stock and damaged the store.
‘Our patrol plans include the Drapery area, and we have been ensuring a police presence at times when we know issues have been taking place.’
