A PETROL station worker who confronted two men on his forecourt about payment for petrol was told he would be shot if he didn’t back off.

Amrik Kalsi, who works at the Temple Farm Esso garage, in Strood, noticed two men filling up large barrels with petrol. They had left the car engine running, which could have caused disaster had they caught a spark.

The father-of-two went out to tell the men to switch their engine off but saw what he thought was a large sword in the car at lunchtime, on Thursday.

When he asked them for payment he claims he was told to back off or else he would be shot.

Mr Kalsi said: "It was about 1.30pm and I saw two men pull up in a dark blue Ford Escort. I thought that it was strange because one man stayed in the car while the other went behind to where we couldn’t see him.

"I couldn’t believe it when I heard the engine was still running while the man was filling up large barrels with petrol."

The two men filled up three or four large barrels, coming to nearly £100, before driving off without paying.

Mr Kalsi, who lives in Bexley, said: "Usually I would open the car door and take out the keys when people try to drive off without paying, but I thought this just wasn’t worth it after I saw the sword."

A police spokesman said: "Kent police are investigating the theft of fuel from the Temple Farm service station in Cuxton Road, Strood.

"Two men filled some barrels, which were in the boot of a blue Ford Escort and then left without paying. Kent police have two men in custody from the Ashford area and an investigation is ongoing."