A shop assistant was shot in the face as four men with BB guns carried out a terrifying armed robbery on Friday night.

They also assaulted a customer at the store in Bligh Way, Strood, before stealing cash from the till.

The robbers burst into the shop wearing balaclavas at about 11pm on Friday and threatened a member of staff.

A police spokesman said: "A member of the public in the premises was reportedly assaulted and a quantity of cash was then stolen from the till.

"As they left the store, it is alleged one of the suspects fired his weapon towards the shop assistant causing facial injuries that required treatment at a local hospital."

One of the suspects is described as being white and wearing a blue jacket with the hood up, a black baseball cap, a balaclava that covered the bottom of his face, black gloves and black trousers.

A second suspect is described as being white and wearing a grey padded jacket, a balaclava over his face, black gloves and black trousers.

The third had a grey jacket with the hood up, a balaclava with a skull pattern, black trousers and black gloves.

The fourth suspect is described as having a black jacket with the hood up, a balaclava covering his face and black trousers.

A local from a shop on the same road said on Saturday: "I saw three police cars and an ambulance.

"We had to open late this morning because the area was shut off."

Another person, who lives nearby said: "It was about 11.30 last night I heard the first police car shoot past."

It is understood the victim who was shot in the face suffered a wound to his chin and has been released from hospital.

The shop reopened on Sunday.

Anybody who witnessed the incident or saw four men acting suspiciously in the area should call Kent Police on 01634 792 209, quoting crime reference 46/33484/20.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or using the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org

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