Employees at a Canadian jewellery store were quick to arm themselves when a gang of robbers targeted their store, brandishing long blades to drive the would-be thieves away.

Key points: Four men tried to break into shop by smashing window

Four men tried to break into shop by smashing window One man had handgun, which he tried to fire at the employees

One man had handgun, which he tried to fire at the employees Gang fled the scene empty-handed

CCTV footage from Ashok Jewellers in Mississauga, Ontario, shows four men pulling up in an SUV before trying to gain entry by smashing through a shop window with what appears to be a sledge hammer.

Amid the commotion, the three employees inside each grabbed a sabre-style sword.

Arjun Kumar, the store owner's son, told CBC one of the robbers was wielding a handgun.

The robbers turned and fled after employees slashed at them with their blades. ( YouTube: Peel Regional Police )

He pointed the weapon through the broken window, but Mr Kumar said the gun jammed when he tried to shoot.

The robbers tried to scramble through the window, but were driven back on each attempt when the employees threatened the gang with their blades.

"I was willing to do anything to keep them out," Mr Kumar said.

"Even if it meant me getting shot, not a problem."

The vision, posted to YouTube by the Peel Regional Police, shows the four men running back to their vehicle and speeding away.

Police are still looking for the suspects, who have been at large since Wednesday.

Constable Danny Marttini said employees should not put their lives at risk to prevent robberies, asking shop owners to prioritise their personal safety over securing their stores.

"At the end of the day, property is property," he said.