Pictures: The terrifying moment when a thug with a crossbow threatened a shopkeeper

This is the terrifying moment when two thugs armed with a deadly crossbow threatened a sub-postmaster at point blank range yesterday.

The two men, one with a knife, robbed the shopkeeper shortly after he opened for business and made off with cash and cigarettes.

The Plymouth man was injured when the crossbow was thrust into his face.

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CCTV: The shopkeeper raises his hands and offers a newspaper as a crossbow is aimed directly at him

Menacing: Cigarette packets spill on to the counter as the shopkeeper tries to satisfy the snarling robber

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall police said: 'The thugs entered Efford Road Post Office at 6.15am, one armed with a crossbow and one armed with a knife.

'They then threatened the shop owner and demanded money from the till and cigarettes from behind the counter.

'He received a minor injury when the crossbow was thrust in his face.'

CCTV images released by the police show the two men approaching the front of the shop counter, the taller one aiming the crossbow at the postmaster inches away on the other side.

The cocky pair did not bother with masks and their faces can be seen clearly.

The image at the top shows the postmaster's hands raised over the counter in a clear signal that he is unarmed and no threat to them. He holds up a newspaper in confusion.

Another image from the video shows the crossbow-wielding thug, his face twisted with rage, leaning over the counter to jab the weapon at the postmaster's face while his snarling accomplice appears to punch the helpless man.

In the second picture, above, one of them is then seen holding out a white plastic bag over the counter for the sub-postmaster to fill with cash and packets of cigarettes, which spill on to the counter.

The man with the crossbow was described as wearing a mid-length green jacket with the hood pulled over his head.

He also wore blue jeans, red shoes with a white band around the edge and white laces, plus grey gloves.

The other suspect was of medium build, with dark hair and wearing a white hoodie top with a full zip at the front.

He also wore black gloves, a dark-coloured ski hat with flaps covering the ears, blue jeans and black training shoes with a white stripe.

Both were estimated as being between 20 and 35 years old.

Police said the men are considered dangerous and should not be approached by members of the public