CCTV shows shopkeeper and son who fled Afghanistan war having knife held to throats during London robbery

A shopkeeper who survived the war and violence in Afghanistan before fleeing to the UK has spoken of how he feared for his life when an eight-inch kitchen blade was held to his throat during a robbery in west London. Chog Singh, 49, sustained deep cuts to his hands as he desperately tried to protect his 14-year-old son at his corner shop in Hillingdon, west London.

CCTV footage of the attack captured the moment the knife-wielding suspect walked into Taal Food and Wine in Field End Road. The night-time raid, on 14 May, saw Singh then threatened while his frightened son, pinned to the corner of the shop, frantically tried to help open the cash register.

Singh, who fled a war-torn Jalalabad in east Afghanistan in 2002, told IBTimes UK: "It was so scary and I was afraid for my son. The robber walked into the shop talking on his mobile phone and waited until customers had left.

"He then attacked me, telling me to give money from the till. I said I couldn't open it and he put the knife to my throat and stomach. He also cut my hands, leaving me with 18 stitches.

"I came to England to flee the war in Afghanistan but nothing like this happened to me before. I've only been running the shop for five months."

The suspect went on to hold a knife to Singh's young son when he tried to escape. The till eventually opened and the robber left with a substantial wad of notes.

The Met Police has now appealed for anyone who recognises the suspect to get in touch. He is described as a tall Asian man, aged in his mid-30s, and of medium build. He was wearing a grey cap, blue work overalls and dark trainers.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via 101 or 020 82461413, quoting reference 0909609/16 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.