A large sum of money was stolen in the raid at Studfall Chippy in Studfall Avenue, Corby, when attackers pounced on staff who were mopping the floors.

The terrifying ordeal that followed saw the manager held to the ground in a headlock and his assistants were kicked round the shop and dragged by their hair.

After stealing the money the robbers, believed to be aged between 18 and 20, made off on BMX bikes and left their victims doubled up in pain on the floor.

Manager Saul Gilbert says the incident on Friday left him and his staff shaken and fearing reprisal attacks.

He said: "At the time it was so scary. They told us not to make any moves because they had blades. In a way we are lucky. We could have been injured a lot more. None of us were bleeding but we had big bruises all over.

"They were booting us and beating us. We are a bit bruised up."
The incident unfolded when Studfall Chippy had closed on Friday night.

The front door was locked but staff were mopping the floors when Mr Gilbert went out of the back door to put something in his car.

Two men started shouting at him and when Mr Gilbert slipped on the floor as he went back into the shop they pounced and held him in a headlock.

He was held for a minute and left on the ground in pain while the attacker moved on to a female member of staff, standing on her chest to prevent her moving.

The second robber leapt over Mr Gilbert and went straight for a third member of staff, demanding she open the till. She did not know how to do it and was dragged around the shop by her pony tail while the attackers searched for money.

In the end they made off with takings that had been left on the side of the counter.

After the attack Mr Gilbert called for an ambulance and the police.
Mr Gilbert has also begun to review security procedures.

He says staff will leave the shop by the front door in future and he will look into installing CCTV.

Mr Gilbert said: "In the future I think we will be installing CCTV. It is not until something happens that you realise what the dangers are."

Witnesses or anyone with information can call police on 08453 700700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.