THIS is the shocking moment looters raid a JD Sports store and grab a handful of clothes.

A shop assistant desperately tried to stop the group of thugs after they ransacked the branch in St Albans, Herts.

Helpless staff members stood by as they watched heaps of tracksuits grabbed in just minutes and carried out of the electric doors.

Video footage from the robbery captured by one employee shows what is thought to be four men taking what they can.

The suspected targeted attack caught the attention of everyone in the store as the alarms started blaring.

With more JD staff becoming aware of the situation, the gang, who were all wearing face masks, made a run for it.

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As they ran out to the car park, a store assistant tried to stop two of the men.

It's understood Hertfordshire Police were called to the scene following the chaos.

The clip was then posted to Twitter with fuming users commenting on what they had just seen.

One person said: "Imagine risking jail time for a bunch of tracky bottoms.”

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Another replied to the video saying: "The biggest problem the country has at the moment is no fear of the law.”

It comes after grocery giant Co-op recorded the highest level of shoplifting in its history – with 1,000 attacks each day over the past six months.

New figures revealed thefts at the stores were up by 35 per cent compared to last year.

Branch managers have told of harrowing ordeals such as groups of masked and armed youngsters battering through glass doors, leaping over kiosks and looting shelves.

Assaults on staff are up by almost 30 per cent, with 20 per cent more anti-social behaviour and verbal abuse.

And the Flannels store on Vicar Lane, Leeds, was recently raided by armed robbers wielding machetes.

They can be seen chasing after a store worker who seems to be attempting to protect a bulky bag.

One of the criminals then slashes at an employee with a weapon.

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