A SHOP worker was stabbed with a hypodermic needle after chasing down a thief.

The 21-year-old assistant was working at Outdoor Action in King Street, Blackburn, when he spotted a man leaving the store without paying for several coats.

The victim chased the thief along King Street and Preston Old Road before catching up with him on a car park close to St Wilfrid’s High School, around a quarter-of-a-mile away.

But as he tried to restrain him, police said the thief produced a syringe complete with a sharp needle.

Officers said the thief then stabbed the young worker in the right arm and hand.

Such was the force of the blows the needle snapped off and became embedded in his right index finger, police said.

The attacker, described as in his mid 30’s with a Scottish accent, then escaped towards the Bank Top area of Preston Old Road at around 10.15am on Saturday.

He was said to be wearing a grey tracksuit top with blue stripes on the sleeves, a grey T-shirt, navy track suit bottoms and dark trainers.

Police said officers and paramedics attended and the victim was then taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital where medics removed the needle tip from his finger.

It is understood that he suffered minor puncture wound injuries and was later discharged.

However, due to the skin being broken by the needle it was necessary to screen him for a range of blood borne diseases including HIV and hepatitis C.

The victim now faces an anxious four week wait to find out if he has been infected.

A spokesman for Outdoor Action said: “Our employee suffered a traumatic ordeal when he was just trying to challenge the man who had stolen our stock.

“His actions were very brave and typically responsible.

“All the team here at the Blackburn store are supporting him after this horrific incident.

“I’d like to ask anyone who was in the area on Saturday to look at the police description of the attacker and try and remember if they saw anything.

“He needs to be caught and punished for this.”

Cllr Hussain Akhtar, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, said he was shocked that such a ‘terrible incident’ had happened in the town.

He said: “The town centre traders, other businesses and police, including those on King Street, are doing so much to make Blackburn safer and try to attract more visitors.

“This is a terrible incident. I hope the young man has no ill effects and that the police catch the man who did it soon.”

Jean Robert 52, lives on Fawcett Close, Bank Top, near to where the stabbing took place.

She said: “It’s shocking that someone would resort to such violence.

“This must be terrible for the lad involved and his family.

“It happened close to a school and this estate where children play out.

“He needs catching soon.”

A police spokesman, said: “We urgently need to speak to anyone who saw the incident or recognises the man described.

“He was wearing a grey tracksuit top with blue stripes on the sleeves, a grey T-shirt, navy track suit bottoms and dark trainers.

“He appeared to be in his mid-30s and had a Scottish accent.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.