This is the terrifying moment a man slashes and lunges at a shop keeper with a 10 inch knife before making off with £600.

Wandsworth Times:

Crime scene: The robbery took place at this shop in Balham (Google Maps)

CCTV footage shows a hooded man enter Kostless 24hour Food and Wine, in Balham High Road, and point a knife towards the 27-year-old shopkeeper behind the till.

The man jumps forward, makes a slashing motion in front of the shopkeeper’s face and shouts at him. At one point he appears to lunge towards the shopkeeper's neck.

The shopkeeper opens the till at which point the man with the knife takes a handful of notes before running out.

This evening the Wandsworth Guardian spoke to the shopkeeper who is still nervous after the robbery.

The shop assistant, who asked not to be named, said: "The man was quite a bit younger. He just came in and he had a knife, a very big knife and he was moving the knife.

"I just moved out the way then and I was not opening the till but obviously he was jumping, trying to get me to."

He said the masked man grabbed up to £600 from the till and added: "It was the first time for me and I was a bit nervous.

"I obviously didn't want to take a risk for my life."

Wandsworth police detectives are appealing for witnesses following the robbery 1.45am on Wednesday, February 18.

Police said the armed man shouted at the shopkeeper and caught him on the hand with the blade.

Wandsworth Times:

The suspect ran onto Balham High Road before heading along Oldridge Road.

Detective Constable Farmer, from Wandsworth CID, said: "Fortunately the victim was not seriously injured and just received a slight injury to his hand. However, the robbery was a terrifying experience for him.

Wandsworth Times:

"Although the suspect had his face covered we have some very clear CCTV of the robbery and we are hoping someone will recognise him.

The suspect used a significant level of violence and on several occasions is seen to lunge the knife towards the victim's neck. We need help to identify him to bring him to justice as soon as possible."

The suspect is described as a black man, aged in his early 20s and about 5ft 10ins tall.

Wandsworth Times:

He was wearing a dark blue Adidas hooded top, dark-coloured trousers and a grey scarf covering his face.

He had a black Nike rucksack on his back with the wording 'Just do it' on it. He is also described as having a London accent.

The knife had both a red handle and blade.

If you recognise the suspect or have any information call DC Farmer on 020 3276 2604, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.