POLICE are on the hunt for a gang of thugs who stabbed in a shopkeeper during a Christmas Eve booze robbery.

The 40 year-old shopkeeper was stabbed after six youths attacked him and stole alcohol from his store on Glenhove Road, Carbrain, Cumbernauld around 8.05pm.

He was taken by ambulance Monklands District General Hospital where medical staff describe his condition as serious but stable.

The suspects are males, believed to be in their teens.

One was dressed in a dark grey zipper hooded jacket, dark blue tracksuit bottoms and trainers, another was in a black hooded zipper jacket with white markings, dark tracksuit bottoms and black trainers, while one was wearing a black hooded jacket and light coloured trainers.

Read more: Tributes paid to man who died at Clydebank police station

Another thug was dressed in a black cap, black fleece, light coloured tracksuit bottoms, and light coloured trainers, the fifth man was dressed in dark coloured puffer jacket, hooded grey top, blue track suit bottoms, blue/white trainers, and carrying a black JD Sports bag and another was wearing a black hooded top with chequered pattern down arms, black tracksuit bottoms and light coloured trainers.

They all made off towards the Torbrex Road area in Cumbernauld.

Detective Sergeant Iain Sneddon, Coatbridge CID, said: “This was an extremely violent and sickening attack on the man. The suspects made no attempt to take money, this was just for the drink. They were prepared to stab, kick, punch and throw items at the shopkeeper, as well as ransack his shop, all for a few bottles of alcohol.

“The shopkeeper was alone in the shop, however, thankfully a passer-by heard the disturbance and called police and ambulance.

“If you recognise the description of the youths, or have any information that will assist our enquiry, then please call Coatbridge Police Station via 101. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”