A South Croydon newsagent who was almost blinded by a gang of youths has attacked the police for taking more than an hour to make a three-minute journey to his shop.

Muhammad Ijaz-Sarwar called 999 when a group of about 10 youngsters began grabbing items off the shelves at JS Supersave in Brighton Road at 7.45pm last Tuesday.

He valiantly attempted to stop them but found himself being repeatedly hit in the face with a glass bottle - leaving him blinded for half an hour.

Despite being less than a mile away, it took officers more than an hour to get from Croydon Police Station to the shop, a situation Mr Sarwar, 46, thought unacceptable.

He said: "The police turning up an hour later is no help at all. The ambulance was here within 15 minutes, so why not the police? When they did get here I asked them if the two cameras used to patrol the bus lane outside caught what happened, but they said neither was working. When you park there they always seem to be working."

In response to Mr Ijaz-Sarwar's concerns a police spokeswoman said: "Due to an exceptionally high volume of emergency police calls local police were unable to attend the venue until shortly before 9pm."

Mr Sarwar said it was not a simple shoplifting incident however, and feels lucky to got away with his sight still intact.

He added: "It was a planned robbery because they positioned themselves around the store and then started grabbing handfuls of chocolate and other items, they weren't just sneaking them into their pockets.

"I was blinded for 30 minutes and feared I would not see again. Thankfully my sight has returned and there should be no lasting damage. I know I am very lucky."

The thieves, who deliberately targeted bottles of rose liqueur, are described as being approximately 17-19-years-old. All were white males wearing hooded tops, except one girl and one black male who stood guard outside.

Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.