A village in Epsom has been left in shock, after three men in balaclavas allegedly took a 58 year old shopkeeper into a back office while he was working and threatened him.

The incident is believed to have happened on October 31 at around 9.16pm at Langley Vale Service station, while the victim was working.

Police believe three men wearing gloves and balaclavas assaulted the victim with a broomstick and a fire extinguisher, and one of the men is said to have threatened the victim with a knife.

The men are believed to have stolen cash, cigarettes and alcohol before driving off in a grey Audi vehicle.

Police said the victim was taken to hospital in shock with facial injuries and a fractured nose.

Several donation buckets have been placed in The Shop on The Corner, on Beaconsfield Road and Mannamead to raise money for the victim and his family.

Dee Wilson, one of the frequent customers who helped set up the donation buckets, said the incident has left the victim as well as the local community in shock.

She said: “We are all in shock. It’s all very hard. We can’t understand why people would do such a thing.

“All we know is that he's [the victim] got two large black eyes and he’s in shock.”

Detective Sergeant Kerry Akehurst said: “This was a terribly distressing incident which has left the victim understandably shaken.

“I would urge anyone who may have witnessed the events to contact us as soon as possible so that we can bring those responsible for this crime to justice.”

The first suspect is of slim to medium build and believed to be wearing a black top and bottom with ‘Just do it’ written in white on the left arm and right leg during the incident.

The second suspect has been described as of medium to stocky build, wearing a blue hooded jacket with ‘North Face’ written in the right rear.

He was also wearing grey tracksuit bottom with ‘Nike’ written on the left leg and black shoes.

The last suspect has been described as of slim to medium build.

He is believed to have been wearing a black or dark blue hooded jacket with ‘North Face’ written in white on the right rear and front left, as well as black trousers and black shoes during the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference PR/45180116582 or by using the online reporting system found at https://report.police.uk/.

Alternatively the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.