Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver speaks of heart-stopping moment he was threatened with a knife in Reading

A taxi driver who works in Reading has vividly described the moment he was almost robbed at knifepoint.

Zulfokar Hussain was dropping off one of his regular customers in Katesgrove when the shocking incident happened.

He said: "I usually wait till the lady closes her door before I set off just to be on the safe side.

"I looked up and there was a gentleman standing there. He said 'I need a taxi to Morrisons' which is just round the corner.

"I said, 'I'm afraid not, we are private booking only'. He turned round and said 'come on man it's just down the road'.

"Then he pulled out a proper 12 inch kitchen knife.

"He said 'give me your money, give me your ****ing money!'

"I had an instant reaction. I just put my foot down, and drove off towards the bollards away from him.

"When I turned my car, I saw him running in the direction of the industrial estate."

Mr Hussain, 50, from High Wycombe, was in a Yellow Cars Vauxhall Zafira at the time.

It was after he politely refused the fare that he was threatened with a knife.

He added: "I couldn't pick him up there because private hire cars are not allowed."

The offender managed to slash a hole in Mr Hussain's jumper, but he was not injured in the incident.

Mr Hussain has worked for Yellow Cars for many years and although he has never experienced an incident like this, he is aware of other drivers being targeted.

Last month, Sikh driver Vaneet Singh was asked 'are you Taliban?' during a religiously motivated assault in Reading.

Mr Hussain said: "I've been working in Reading now for 20 years and it's the first incident I have come across.

"95 per cent of drivers probably would've froze and ended up being robbed.

"Drivers have been robbed and violently attacked, I just took the chance. This was just an instant decision by me to put my foot down.

"And apart from my top being cut from the back I don't have any injuries.

"From what I saw he was literally carrying a 12 inch kitchen knife. Who would walk the streets with a knife like that?

"It could have turned out a lot nastier."

Did you see anything that could help police trace his attacker?

Thames Valley Police has appealed for anyone with information to assist in an investigation.

A spokesman said: "Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to an attempted robbery in Elgar Road South, Reading, on Saturday, October 3.

"It happened near to the Reading Driving Test centre at around 9.30pm.

"The victim, a taxi driver, was approached by a man who threatened him with a knife and demanded money.

"The victim refused and drove off.

"The offender is described as a mixed-race man, aged between 18 and 21 years old.

"Anybody who witnessed the incident or who has any information that can assist the investigation should call 101 quoting reference number 43200311405."

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IDFIMH

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