A SHOP worker narrowly escaped injury when an air rifle was fired at his store.

The Costcutter shop at the Murco petrol station in Hatch Lane, Chingford, was targeted on Sunday, August 15, just before midday.

The armed man went onto the petrol station forecourt and fired a pellet gun three times at the shop, narrowly missing the 30-year-old shop worker who was stacking shelves at the time.

The suspect then fled the scene and headed towards the Friday Hill area.

Shop manager Mandeep Kahai said: “The pellets just scraped past the arm and shoulder of the person working. He was very lucky not to be injured.”

Mr Kahai said that three young men had earlier visited the shop then the suspect returned with what is believed to have been pellet gun and fired it at the door.

He said: “Quite often we get trouble from young people who are refused to buy cigarettes, so I don't know if it was to do with that because we didn't know them and don't know why he did it.

“We get trouble from time to time but it is never usually very serious.”

Shopkeepers working nearby reported hearing sirens and a flurry of activity as police arrived and quickly cordoned off the petrol station.

The suspect is a white man aged about 18 years old, 5ft7ins tall, wearing a dark hooded top, bottoms and shoes.

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident are asked to contact Waltham Forest CID on 8345 3166 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.