WATCH: CCTV shows brutal baseball bat robbery at West Bromwich shop
A woman was battered by thieves armed with baseball bats during a raid at the shop where she works.
Horrifying CCTV video footage shows the moment the woman was attacked with baseball bats at JS Convenience Stores in Church Lane, West Bromwich.
One of the masked men jumps over the counter while the other two block the defenceless woman in from the other side.
WATCH the CCTV footage:
Warning: Video contains violence viewers may find distressing
The thieves left a trail of destruction in the store – but left empty-handed after the incident shortly before 9.30pm on Friday.
The woman sustained injuries to her head and hands and was treated in hospital.
The owner of the shop, Jasvir Singh, said: "Basically she was cashing up to lock the shop up, and three guys walked in and went crazy and attacked her.
"She fought back. Me personally, I don't think she should have, she should have just give them what they wanted.
"That is why they attacked her. They wanted money and cigarettes. They never took anything in the end.
"The woman is OK now - but she was in a bad state. Armed police came, the ambulance came, she went to hospital but she is out now."
Investigation
West Midlands Police has now launched an investigation into the incident.
A spokesman for the force said: "Police are investigating after a shop worker was assaulted with baseball bats on Church Lane, in the West Bromwich area of Sandwell just before 9.30pm on Friday.
"Officers were called to JS Convenience Stores where a woman had sustained injuries to her head and hands. She was taken to hospital to be treated.
"It is believed the intention was to commit a robbery, but the three masked men left without taking anything.
"CCTV enquiries continue and anyone with information is asked to contact police."
Anyone with information about the raid can call West Midlands Police on 101, quoting incident number 20SW/45599W/19. Alternatively, witnesses can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
