Two knife-wielding men with concealed faces entered the Tobruk Street service station about 7.45pm Wednesday night. 

The man behind the counter was threatened by the two bandits before one of them attacked him. He was assaulted in the melee but was able to fight them off.

The two men left the store empty-handed and the attendant, who was not injured in the attempted robbery, was able to raise the alarm.

Ashmont resident Blair O’Brien was playing pool in the pub next door on Wednesday night when he heard the drama unfold.

“This is the second time it’s happened,” Mr O’Brien said.

“It’s getting worse in Ashmont. We want out. I want to move out as soon as possible. Next time it could be us.”

But it is not just residents feeling helpless, with Ashmont Newsagency owner Himan Rawal fearing for his life every morning he opens his family business.

In February, Mr Rawal fled from two masked teenagers running towards him and demanding his wallet, keys and money. It was the third time he had bore the brunt of city crime.

"I feel like I shouldn't come to work for my own safety, but I have to because it's my bread and butter and it's what supports my family,” he told the Advertiser.

The incident follows a Central service station being held up just last month.

The latest crime statistics reveal just how entrenched crime had become in Wagga, with motor vehicle theft up by 113 per cent in the two years prior to December 2015.

But the success of recent Operation Assure has driven down crime, with more than 75 juveniles being arrested and the rate of break and enters falling by 40 per cent in just three months. 

It is a welcomed move for Ashmont Inn owner and licensee Tim Brennan. 

“I only discovered (the servo next door had been held up) when I came to work,” he said on Thursday morning.

“We’ve never really had any issues like that. A lot of the crime is happening around the houses. (Police) have been doing the best they can. They can’t sleep with them.”

A crime scene was established and anyone with information should contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.