Bradford cabbie robbed at knife-point (From Asian Image)

Bradford cabbie robbed at knife-point

9:00am Sunday 19th February 2012 in North of England news

A Bradford cabbie was robbed at knife-point, sparking fears for the safety of taxi drivers in the city.

The driver, who did not want to be named, said he picked up a fare, who directed him down a dead-end street near Otley Road, Undercliffe, before he took out a blade and demanded cash. He said he tried to flee, but was chased by the man.

“I was scared,” he said. “It’s never happened to me in 23 years.

“I tried to use my horn to get attention. I got out of my car, I ran and I fell. He followed me, took money from my pocket and my phone.”

Shabir Munir, of the Bradford Hackney Carriage Drivers’ and Owners’ Association, said a number of taxi drivers had been targeted in recent months and has spoken of his concerns after the most recent attack, which happened on Friday, February 3.

He said: “When you hear someone has been robbed at knife-point, at the end of the day you’re by yourself in your car. This guy ran out of the car, he couldn’t call anybody for help.

“Especially city taxi drivers, when we pick up people in the streets, it’s your wits about you that get you through the job. It’s an ongoing matter, we will let the police do their work and see what they come up with.”

Officers are continuing to investigate three knife-point robberies on taxi drivers in the Fagley area in September which were linked, but not to the robbery on February 3.

Mr Munir said: “The guys who did these crimes are still out there somewhere and we want them caught.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed officers were called to reports of the robbery on February 3, between 8.45pm and 9.10pm.

He said: “The driver picked up a man on Otley Road who sat in the front of his vehicle. The man then asked for change before producing a knife. The driver got out of his vehicle and ran towards the junction of Lowther Street and Mint Street.

“The suspect approached him and struck his arm before demanding money. He then made away with an amount of cash and a mobile phone.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information should contact Bradford South CID on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.