This is the terrifying moment a heroic shopkeeper risked his life to help a boy chased into his Hoxton newsagents by a knife-wielding maniac.

Abbas Solak was working behind the counter in Bon Bon, Felton Street, on October 8 when the youngster ran in and tried to slam the door shut.

Horrifying footage from the shop, obtained exclusively by the Gazette, shows him rushing to help as two thugs, one armed with a huge knife, kick through the glass door in seconds.

Abbas can then be seen grabbing the boy by the scruff of the neck and pulling him out of harm’s way before the knifeman swings wildly in their direction three times – coming within inches of stabbing Abbas.

He is then dragged away by a man and he and his accomplice run off, leaving Abbas in the shop with the victim and the other boy who had helped.

The attack took place just seconds after a customer had walked out, but amazingly no one was injured.

Abbas, who has run the shop with his brother for 10 years, told the Gazette this week it had been scary, but he had no time to think before acting. “If someone’s life is threatened you have to do something,” he said. “You have to be brave sometimes. I didn’t think about what could have happened.”

After the attackers ran off the boy stayed in the shop for another five minutes before leaving himself ahead of the police’s arrival.

“He just left when I was on the phone without saying thank you,” added Abbas. “I thought about closing up the shop but I had to work. We keep the door open anyway.”

Police are investigating the attack but have yet to make any arrests.

Det Sgt Rob Whewell said: “This was a violent incident and we are determined to bring those responsible to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.