Skelmersdale taxi driver robbed at knifepoint in early morning attack Feb 16 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Skelmersdale Advertiser
A TAXI driver was left shaken after being robbed at knifepoint in an early morning attack.
The 50-year-old victim, a driver for Skem firm Newtown Taxis, was parked on Whitham Road, close to the Victoria pub, in the early hours of Monday morning when the attacker got in.
After travelling to the shops on Tanfield the man pulled out a knife, held it to the driver’s neck and demanded his takings.
The driver, who feared for his life, handed over the cash before the robber fled the scene. The attack took place at around 4.25am.
Stephen Davis, manager at Newtown Taxis, said: “The safety of our drivers is paramount. “The driver attacked was left really shaken by this. Violence to our staff won’t be tolerated and thankfully this sort of thing doesn’t happen very often. We are cooperating fully with police and hope the attacker is brought to justice.”
The attacker is described as white, around 5ft 8in with an average build, clean shaven and with short brown hair. He was wearing a dark coloured jacket and dark bottoms and spoke with a distinctive Eastern European accent.
Officers are appealing for witnesses and in particular a man who was walking his dog past the taxi moments before the attacker got inside. Witnesses are also sought in the Tanfield and surrounding areas in Old Skelmersdale that may have seen the attacker fleeing the scene.
Det Con Terry McKibbon, from West Lancashire CID said: “I would appeal for anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed what happened to come forward and contact the police. I would ask taxi drivers to remain vigilant and try not to carry large amounts of cash around with you.”
Anyone with information is asked to call West Lancs CID on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
http://www.osadvertiser.co.uk/news/skel ... -30336418/
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