The police are holding a man said to have slashed the face of a salesman who caught him stealing this afternoon.

The 34-year-old victim, an employee at Al Medina Cash & Carry in Col Savona Street, Gzira, was found lying on the ground in front of the shop at around 2.15pm.

He told the police the thief slashed his face with a knife when he asked him to return the stolen goods.The victim is still in hospital but is not in a critical condition.