Taxi Driver Online

Police appeal after knife pulled on taxi driver by teen fare dodgers in Eastwood

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/182815 ... -eastwood/


Image: Basildon Echo

A TAXI driver was threatened at knifepoint by two teens who made off without paying their fare.

The duo made off as they were dropped off in Rayleigh Road, Eastwood on Friday afternoon.

A nearby resident, who wished to remain anonymous, was made aware when his dog started to bark at the scene outside.

The Eastwood man, 30, said: “I was working from home when the dog started to go mad.

“I came out to see what was going on and make sure everyone was okay, but I’d just missed what had happened.

“I invited the driver to come inside so he could warm up and calm down, as he was quite shaken and annoyed.

“He told me that he’d picked two boys up from a nearby house and arrived here to drop them off.

“As he pulled up they did a runner, so he chased after them up the road.

“When they were running, one of them dropped their phone. He picked it up, so they pulled out a knife and tried to stab him.

“He knew a couple of quid wasn’t worth his life, so he quickly gave the phone back. They must’ve been no older than 15.”

The witness added: “It’s quite a worry that it happened right outside my home.

“It was only five minutes before school pick up as well and we were right behind the school, so people were walking right past with their young children.”

A spokesperson from Essex Police, said: “We were called at around 3pm on February 28 with reports that a taxi driver was threatened with a knife in Rayleigh Road, Eastwood.

“We received information that the suspects threatened him after making off without paying for their fare.”

Contact 101 quoting 42/32326/20 or call Crimestoppers 0800 555111.