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A British tourist has been stabbed while bravely trying to fight a gang of four violent thugs who snatched his bag in Barcelona, terrifying footage shows.

The holidaymaker was having a drink on a terrace in Placa Sant Josep Oriol near Las Ramblas at around 8pm last night when the bag was snatched.

The victim ran after the robbers and managed to restrain one, then started wrestling over the bag in front of shocked onlookers.

But the thief then took out a sharp object from his pocket and repeatedly tried to stab him before making contact with the side of his torso.

The Briton did not realise until he saw the blade in front of his face, at which point he let go of the thug who hurriedly scampered away to safety with his assailants.

One brave passerby tried to halt their escape without success. All four were arrested shortly after. The British man was treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

The stabbing was captured on video, shot by another British witness.

The footage opens looking down a narrow Barcelona street, where the scuffle can be seen unfolding outside of a shop window. Someone can be heard speaking in English, saying 'give it back bruv' and 'you're on camera mate'.

The British tourist can be heard saying 'where's my s**t' as he tries to wrestle a bag out of the the thief's grasp. 'Where's my necklaces bro?' the Brit says, as the thief appears to be surrounded by a group.

Suddenly, the thief holds up a knife and brandishes it in front of the British tourist's face - and shouts at him while threatening him - while trying to get run away.

The tourist does not appear to realise what the thief is holding at first, and continues to chase him. He pushes the thief back into a wall, while still holding on to him by his clothing and asking him where his jewellery is.

At this point, the thief makes a couple of attempts to stab the tourist. He again holds the knife in front of the Brit's face, at which point he flinches backwards.

But the thief to too quick, and with his left hand, he stabs the British tourist in the side of his torso as he tries to back way.

Now free from the grapple, the thief is shown sprinting off down the street with his accomplices as people shout after them.