70-year-old shopkeeper stabbed as he fights off three armed robbers in dramatic CCTV footage

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A 70-year-old shopkeeper was stabbed as he fought off three knife-wielding thieves in dramatic CCTV footage that has been released by police.

One of the trio stabbed the pensioner, who was brandishing a shop sign as he tried to defend himself during the attempted robbery in Walthamstow, east London.

A customer can also be seen in the entrance to the shop, using a stool to protect themselves against the hooded and masked attackers.

Another customer and the shopkeeper's wife were also in the store at the time.

The victim, who suffered a number of knife injuries, is in hospital in a serious but stable condition, Scotland Yard said.

Police are appealing for information after the attempted raid on the shop in Carr Road, Walthamstow, on Sunday.

Officers were called at around 9.10pm by the London Ambulance Service.

The suspects are three white men in their 20s who were wearing dark tracksuit bottoms and dark jackets with hoods. One man had a grey hooded top underneath a black puffa jacket.

Detective Sergeant Ben Voss, of Waltham Forest CID, said: "This was a violent attack on a pensioner who was trying to run his shop.

"The assailants used an extreme level of violence against elderly man who was trying to defend himself, his wife, customers and business.

"The attack could have resulted in tragic consequences but luckily the victim is now recovering in hospital.

"I would appeal to anyone who has any information on who was responsible to contact police as soon as possible."

Additional reporting by Press Association