One of the thieves acted as a decoy while the other went behind the counter and snatched the box.

After noticing the cashbox had been taken, the shop assistant rushed after the culprits and dodged shopping baskets, which one of the thieves threw at him. The assistant managed to grab the box before the failed thieves fled.

Irfan Hussan, owner of the Good News store on Baluniefield Road, said the incident was the latest in a string of thefts from his shop since he took over in August last year.

“There was two of them and one acted as cover while the other went behind the counter and took the box. When the shopkeeper noticed it was gone he went after them and one of the men was throwing baskets at him.

“It’s not the first time something like this has happened. I had my mobile phone stolen and after that I installed a new (CCTV) camera.

“Every couple of weeks there is something, most of the time it is items from the store that are taken and not money. It is always different people.

“Thankfully they didn’t get away with anything.”

A spokesman for Tayside Police said, “We are following a positive line of inquiry following an attempted theft at a store in Baluniefield Road, Dundee, at about 8.30 am. Officers would like to hear from anyone in the area at the time who has any information.”