Sarah Patel is hailed ‘the bravest girl’ after armed gang raids family shop in Auckland, New Zealand

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A six-year-old girl has been praised by her father after she attempted to stop an axe-wielding intruder attacking an employee during a raid on her family’s shop.

Sarah Patel was captured on CCTV footage trying to defend the staff member when it is alleged a group of six armed men broke into the family’s electrical shop in Auckland, New Zealand, on Monday.

CCTV footage shows the masked men kicking, punching and threatening employees with an axe and a crowbar, or iron lever.

In the video Sarah rushes at one of the attackers standing over an employee with an axe, and tries to get him to stop his attack.

Patel told the New Zealand Herald she was “trying to save” the employee and that she “wasn’t scared” of the bad guy.

When Patel glimpsed the attacker’s axe she fled. She later helps her grandfather out of the room and away from danger.

Sarah’s father, Suhail Patel, told TVNZ he was “proud” of his daughter and though she had been shaken by the incident, she was recovering well.

“Last night she was very upset. Was in shock. We’ve been trying to say to her ‘You’re the bravest girl’, that sort of thing,” he said.

After the intruders fled they were pursued across West Auckland by police – as well as Sarah, her mother and grandfather, who gave chase in their family car.

They were eventually stopped by police road spikes laid out for them.

Five 16-year-old boys have been charged with aggravated robbery, injuring with intent and breaching bail. A sixth suspect is still to be found.