This is the moment a woman tried to prevent two shady thieves in balaclavas from making off with £17,000 worth of sunglasses has been caught on CCTV. 

The two suspects can be seen calmly walking into the David Clulow Opticians in Richmond, before grabbing fistfuls of sunglasses and shoving them into a bag. 

The woman, wearing a pink cardigan, attempts to pull the bag away from them before blocking the door to the George Street opticians on Tuesday, January 24. 

However, despite her best efforts, the two balaclava wearing thieves push her out of the way and run out of the store. 

Police believe the suspects put the balaclavas on in Golden Court, before running across the road to the opticians. 

Anyone with any information, or who has been offered a large quantity of sunglasses, is asked to call Richmond police on 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.