This is a classic example of 'churnalism' - simply rehashing/rearranging an official press release. Or, these days in particular, doing likewise with stuff from social media - this one's from the Birmingham Police Facebook page.
Which is all very well, but in this case the article basically repeats the Facebook twice, as will be evident from reading it. And the word 'the' is repeated in consecutive paragraphs
Police appeal after taxi driver's ear bitten in vicious attack by passengers in Sheldon
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/m ... s-17388390
The taxi driver had his as ear bitten and was hit over the head with a steering lock in the shocking attack
Image: Birmingham Mail/West Midlands Police
Police are appealing for information after a taxi driver was viciously attacked in his cab in Sheldon.
The victim had his ear bitten and had a wheel lock smashed over his head in the shocking incident.
West Midlands Police said two male passengers had became increasingly rowdy so the the driver pulled up by Travelodge in Coventry Road, Sheldon.
One of the passengers then allegedly grabbed the taxi driver around the the neck and bit his left ear.
The driver got out of the cab but a second man took a steering wheel lock from the boot and hit the driver across the top of the head, causing a wound which required hospital treatment.
Birmingham Police issued an appeal on it's Facebook page following the incident which happened on August 24 at around 11pm.
The statement said: "A taxi driver was attacked in his cab in Birmingham on Saturday 24 August at about 11pm.
"When two male passengers became increasingly rowdy the driver pulled up by Travelodge in Coventry Road, Sheldon and one of the men then grabbed him round the neck and bit his left ear.
"The driver got out of the cab but a second man took a steering wheel lock from the boot and hit the driver across the top of the head, causing a wound which required hospital treatment.
"If you have any information contact us, quoting crime number 20BE/201743B/19 via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, call 101 anytime or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
