A 24-hour supermarket was held up at gunpoint by a gang of masked robbers – who then phoned a minicab for a getaway car, it was claimed.

Al Pacino in High Street, Hornsey, was targeted shortly after 4am on Sunday by five suspects wielding knives and a sawn-off shotgun, who hid their faces with balaclavas and scarves.

Two shop staff working at the time were not hurt, but one of them, who is 22, was so shaken he quit his job the next day.

Gamze Gor, 20, who works behind the counter, said: “They were five teenagers, four had knives and one had a shotgun. They put the gun to the head of the guy on the till and he has quit now because he was so scared. The other one had two knives on his neck.

“After the incident they ordered a cab. They called it from just outside. They’re idiots.”

She added that the gang had been in earlier to buy sweets and “check how many people were working”. They made off with around £1,300 from the till and safe.

The raid took place just two weeks after the store, formerly known as Oz Sultan Food Centre, was taken on by Ms Gor’s uncle.

Raam Sheney, who runs nearby High Street off-licence Suvacavi Shop, said the road is “not safe for shopkeepers”. He added: “I was burgled for about £15,000 worth of stock in cigarettes and champagne just six months ago. This street is very dangerous.”

Police arrested seven men aged 17 to 22 that morning, who were found with knives in a mini cab. They were bailed to return in November over the knives, but police do not believe they were involved in the robbery.

A police spokeswoman said Flying Squad detectives are investigating, adding: “Police were called after five suspects entered the shop and threatened two members of staff with a sawn-off shotgun and knives. Luckily, no-one was injured.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Det Con Adrian Whitewick at Finchley Flying Squad on 020 8358 1752 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.