Stabbed shop man fights back after jewel robbery

A shop worker was in hospital today after being repeatedly stabbed in a jewel robbery.

The man was attacked by robbers who held up the shop where he worked, suffering multiple stab wounds in his front and back.

The attack happened at the Kim Hiep jewellery shop in Mare Street, Hackney, when two men entered wielding large knives.

After the man was stabbed, one robber fled, leaving the other in the shop where the victim and another worker, believed to be his brother, tried to restrain him.

After kicking the door and shattering the glass, the second man fled.

Police were passing and immediately gave chase and arrested a man, who was dressed as a postman, in nearby Loddiges Road.

An ambulance took the victim to a hospital in east London. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

The robbers entered the shop at about 4.30pm yesterday. The two men, who are Vietnamese, and a woman, thought to be their mother, were behind the counter.

The first robber, described as being of Moroccan appearance, with curly hair and wearing a light-coloured tracksuit, jumped into a Ford Fiesta and drove off in the direction of Well Street.

Daniel Joseph, who owns the Anglo-Thai Restaurant opposite the shop, saw the struggle between the men and the second robber.

He said: "One of the shop workers was bleeding. The man was holding a knife. He kicked the bottom of the door and the glass broke. Then he ran away."

Dc Mick Battley, of the Flying Squad, said: "One suspect was seen driving from the scene. He was bleeding profusely from the head and face after the shop workers fought back, which may have been noticeable."

He said police were still investigating what was stolen.

A neighbour said the shop had only been open for a year and was a family business.