Business owners on Thornton Road are terrified for their safety after muggings and a robbery on the road.

Three men walked into Khan Cash and Carry on Thursday July 24 and snatched up £2,000 which was being counted at the back of the shop.

The shocked owner Mr Delawar could only stand by as the robbers made off with his hard earned money.

The 37-year-old father of four said: “It was about 12pm, we were taking a delivery. My customer was counting money at the back of the store.

“These three, tall black guys walked into the store, I was quite surprised because they are not my usual customers.

“I asked them if I could help them. They walked straight past my counter, pushed the guys to the floor and ran out with the money.

“I have had this shop since 1996 and there has never been anything like this.”

He is worried the men, who he described as about 6ft tall and in their early 20s, seemed to know exactly where and when the money was being counted and fears he may have been watched.

He lives just around the corner from the shop and has told his children not to open the door to anyone as he worries for the safety of his family.

A police spokesman said: "Croydon's crime prevention officer visited the victim to give suitable crime prevention advice. The crime prevention officer has also arranged for a drop safe to be installed at the shop, which will be funded by LEGI - Local Enterprise Growth Initiative."

Mr V Jayapalan, 57, the owner of VJ’s Off License was mugged on July 2 and said crime in the area has escalated in the past three months.

The father of two, who lives on the road opposite his shop, closed up at 10.30pm and walked towards his front door.

He said: “This boy came up behind me and grabbed the gold chain around my neck. He was pushing me and ripped the chain from my neck.

“I was yelling and my wife opened the door. I tried to chase after him but could not see him anywhere.

“I called the police but they have not been able to do anything.”

• For more business news, click here