Detectives investigating an attempted murder and robbery at a shop on Halloween last year have made three arrests. 

The Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad and Essex Police searched four homes in Basildon at around 5.30am yesterday, and arrested three men aged 49, 38, and 25.

A reward of up to £20,000 was offered in February after police released CCTV footage of the incident shortly before midnight on October 31 at the Show Supermarket in Plaistow. 

The 51 year-old shop owner, Abbas Koran from Chingford, and his 40 year-old assistant, were threatened inside the shop by two men, one wielding a sawn-of shotgun. 

Mr Koran, a father-of-three, resisted the robbery by attempting to bat away the gun and then chased the suspects out of the shop with his assistant. 

Seconds later, the 51 year-old was shot in the chest at close range and taken to hospital, where he fell into a coma for two weeks and suffered what were described as life-changing injuries. 

His assistant was hospitalised with injuries to his leg and abdomen after being hit with fragments from the bullet, but was later discharged.  

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Ellen, of the Flying Squad, said: "We received a number of leads as a result of the media appeal in February. 

"These have helped us progress our investigation, so I thank media for their support. 

"The investigation is now at a sensitive stage as we continue with our enquiries."

The men have been bailed to a date in early October, pending further investigation.