Shopkeeper scares off robber by hurling chilli powder in his face

This is the dramatic moment a have-a-go-hero shopkeeper sent a knife-wielding robber fleeing empty-handed by hurling chilli powder in his face.

The masked thug was sent packing after he targeted the A1 Convenience Store in Kingstanding, Birmingham, just before it closed at 10.30 p.m. on Saturday (March 7).

CCTV shows the offender, dressed head-to-toe in black with a balaclava across his face, brandishing a large blade as he demands cash from the manager.

But the brave shopkeeper can be seen instinctively reaching beneath the counter before lobbing a handful of the eye-watering spice in the face of the crook.

The store owner, who has asked to remain anonymous, has released the footage in a bid to highlight the crime but has not reported the matter to police.

As a result, West Midlands Police have declined to comment on the incident.