VIOLENT thugs attacked a Glasgow shopkeeper and made off with a four-figure sum of cash.

Detectives are now appealing for information following the targeted assault and robbery in the South Side of the city on Saturday night.

At around 10pm, a 61-year-old Asian man parked his van on Gower Street, near to Maxwell Drive. As he went to retrieve an item from the side door of the vehicle, two men attacked him from behind.

During the struggle, the victim was repeatedly punched on the face and body before being knocked to the ground.

The suspects made off from the scene with the victim’s mobile phone and his black jacket which contained a four-figure sum of shop takings.

The attackers ran along Gower Street in the direction of Sherbrooke Drive before disappearing out of sight. The victim then made his way home where his family contacted the police.

Both suspects are believed to be Asian and are aged between 20 and 30.

The first man is described as 6ft, clean shaven, and was wearing dark grey/black jogging bottoms and a top with lighter grey on the chest and shoulders.

The second man is described 5ft 6in, of slim build with short dark hair, and was wearing lighter grey jogging bottoms and a top.

Both men were wearing dark footwear.

Detective Constable Emma Laurie, from the Community Investigation Unit based at Govan, said: “The victim owns a shop in the area and we believe that the despicable individuals responsible have targeted him specifically, in the hope he would be carrying a significant sum of cash.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the surrounding area on Saturday night and may have noticed two men matching the above descriptions, or anything at all suspicious, to please come forward."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Community Investigation Unit via 101, quoting incident number 4654 of Saturday, September 22. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given anonymously.