Police have released CCTV footage of a robbery at a fish and chip shop in Peterborough where a male member of staff was knocked to the floor and punched whilst thieves ransacked the building.

The staff member was preparing food in a back room of Yummy Fish and Chips in Dogsthorpe Road at about 10.30am on Thursday, January 7, when he heard a knock at the back door.

He was expecting someone so opened the door but was confronted by a man who took him to the floor and punched him. Three other men ran in and searched the premises.

The member of staff was held down while the men stole a black bag with the handles cut off, which contained keys, a wallet, bank cards, money, a hat and scarf, a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 white mobile phone and a Samsung S3 mobile phone.

The victim was punched again and then let go by the man who ran out of the back of the shop with his accomplices to a silver Mercedes C Class getaway car.

The shop was shut at the time of the robbery.

DC Fran Scott, who is investigating, said: “This was a terrible experience for the victim who was taken completely by surprise while trying to prepare food for the shop.

“I would ask anyone who thinks they might know who was involved in this robbery or maybe saw the Mercedes before or after the raid to get in touch.”

Anyone with information should contact DC Scott on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.