CCTV footage has emerged of the moment a shopworker confronted one of three thieves in a shop.

The men are being sought by Waltham Forest police over shoplifting at a Post Office branch in Carr Road, Walthamstow, on August 14, between 2.30pm and 3pm. 

Ten bottles of wine worth £22 each and two bottles of fabric softener, also worth £20 each, were stolen.

As one of the thieves ( ref 159502) is seen walking towards the exit carrying three bottles.

A shopworker wearing a white cap grabs his jumper collar from behind and pulls him back. 

He then grabs hold of the thief's jumper by the neck, while an accomplice (ref 159501) runs past them with more stolen goods.  

The thief then puts two of the bottles on the floor as the staff member keeps hold of one of the bottles in his hand. 

The worker is then shown raising the bottle in the air, as if to threaten the thief, who holds up his hands in defence.

As the shop worker turns around to see the third accomplice exit the shop, the thief grabs hold of one of the wine bottles on the floor and runs off.   

A second video shows a clear image of a thief (ref 159500) as he grabs hold of two Bold fabric softeners from the shop shelf.  

The CCTV has been released to the Guardian as part of a joint venture with the Metropolitan Police to identify potential perpetrators of unsolved crimes in the borough.

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