A LOTTO worker has been stabbed in the upper body after a violent struggle in Croydon.

The stabbing comes hours after another terrifying robbery where African thugs held up a Narre Warren service station in the early hours of this morning.

The Herald Sun has been told a man aged in his 50s was seen covered in blood outside Croydon Lotto on Main Street about 7.30am this morning.

It is understood a masked offender entered the shop and demanded money.

The worker was then stabbed after a violent struggle with the armed attacker who fled on foot.

media_camera Police on the scene following an armed robbery in Croydon. Picture: David Hodgett, Twitter.

media_camera Police inside the Croydon Lotto, where an employee was stabbed.

“It looks like there’s been a tussle and the man has been stabbed in his left arm,” said Dean Kruger, who arrived on scene shortly after the stabbing.

“He was wearing a white polo shirt which was bloodied across half his chest to where the sleeve finished at the elbow.”

Paramedics treated the Croydon lotto worker, who was later taken to hospital.

He managed to walk from the shop to the ambulance and appears to be in a stable condition.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the man fled on foot with cash and was last seen on Lacey Street.

The male staff member is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The offender is described as a caucasian male, approximately 183cm tall with a medium to thin build.

He was last seen wearing dark-coloured clothing, white beanie and maroon- coloured runners.

Police are investigating.

The Croydon incident comes hours after two African men stormed a United petrol station on Heatherton Rd in Narre Warren with a machete and large rock about 4am.

media_camera Police established a crime scene. Picture: David Hodgett, Twitter. media_camera Police established a crime scene. Picture: David Hodgett, Twitter.

The male worker, left shaken but uninjured, told a colleague he was scared for his safety and pleaded with the offenders to take the money and go.

“The two guys came in. He said they were threatening me to ‘give us money, give us money, give us money’.

He was scared and he opened the till for him and said ‘take whatever you want, take everything but don’t hurt me’,” the colleague told Nine News.

It is understood the thugs took off with about $300 in cash.

“Its quite scary because in the night time this is a really quiet area so it’s scary … bad things happen here lots of the time. We had a robbery last year as well,” the man’s colleague said.

Dean Grande, Detective Senior Sergeant at Casey Crime Investigation Unit, told the Herald Sun there was no CCTV of the Narre Warren armed robbery.

media_camera Police on the scene following an armed robbery in Croydon. Picture: David Hodgett, Twitter.

“We are looking for witnesses to come forward,” he said.

“If anybody driving through the area around the time of the robbery has any dashcam footage they should come forward.

“Unfortunately there is no CCTV at the venue, which makes life more difficult.

“It has happened at 3.55am. The attendant has gone outside to take the rubbish to the bins.

“He hasn’t locked the door and they have followed him in.

“One was armed with a machete and a rock. They have demanded cash from the register and left the venue.

“We don’t know if they left the area on foot or in a vehicle.

“It is obviously very concerning.”

media_camera A colleague of the man that was threatened during a frightening Narre Warren service station robbery overnight. Picture: Today Show.

media_camera The United petrol station on Heatherton Rd, Narre Warren. Picture: Today Show.

2 men armed with machetes stormed this Narre Warren petrol station around 4am .. leaving attendant shaken and begging not to be hurt. “He said take the money, please just don’t hurt me or my brother.” @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/uXWupnNn6t — Lana Murphy (@LanaMurphy) January 11, 2018

Both offenders were described as being tall, and had their faces covered by T-shirts.

It’s the third service station to have been targeted by African thugs in as many days.

Australasian Association of Convenience Stores CEO Jeff Rogut has publicly called for action to protect workers who are “feeling less and less safe” amid the crime crisis.

“Each week we read reports of criminal gangs perpetuating violent crimes and robberies, with service stations and convenience stores in particular being targeted by these criminals.

“What we don’t read about are any real deterrents to these crimes,” said Mr Rogut.

“Service station robberies are happening almost every day. Surely as a state we can’t accept this as the new norm.”

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Mr Rogut has revealed he will rally police, politicians and industry stakeholders to support a judicial crackdown on criminals who target businesses and inflict serious trauma on workers.

“We will be encouraging our many members, and the thousands of employees in the convenience industry in Victoria, to pressure their local members and use their vote to reinforce a zero-tolerance approach to crime,” he said.

“We are at the point where the only stance on crime left to take is a tough one. Small business demands it and so do members of the community.”

The police investigation is ongoing for both the Narre Warren and Croydon incidents.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

aneeka.simonis@news.com.au

@AneekaSimonis