This is the moment a quick-acting driver notices two crooks about to rob him and ploughs into them with his car before they can open fire.

The 30-year-old motorist slammed into the pair of crooks outside his home in Sao Bernardo do Campo, south-eastern Brazil, on 26th November.

CCTV footage shows how he had remotely opened the gate to his garage and was waiting for it to fully open when the crooks pulled up in front of him on a motorcycle.

The man riding pillion could be seen brandishing a handgun and pointing it directly at the car.

But before the gunman had even managed to fully raise his arm, the quick-thinking driver immediately stepped on the gas and drove straight into the pair.

Footage shows how the crooks and their bike were knocked to the tarmac sideways.

The would-be thieves managed to escape empty-handed, but police seized the numberplate that fell off their bike as part of the investigation.

Police registered the incident as attempted robbery, self-defence, and seizing of objects.

They are investigating the case but reminded the public to remain calm and not resist during a robbery.