Taxi driver in robbery terror
8:56am Friday 1st March 2013 in News
A TAXI driver was throttled during a robbery in Heaton.
The driver, a 51-year-old man, was attacked when he went to pick someone up from Stanley Road on Wednesday.
A man who got into th passenger seat demanded money from the victim while the man in the back of the car started to choke him.
The driver handed over his wallet, but one of the men demanded cash again before they both ran along Malvern Avenue.
The man in the passenger seat is mixed race, in his 30s, medium build and about 5ft 5in tall.
He was wearing a black coat with red writing on the back of the right shoulder.
Det Con Steve Riddle, from Bolton CID, said: “The man was just doing his job and has been subjected to a frightening robbery.
“He was choked and threatened and was understandably terrified throughout the ordeal, which lasted a couple of minutes. I am keen to hear from anyone who heard or saw anything or thinks they know who the offenders are to call me.”
The victim was not a Metro Cars driver, but company director Nick Astley has condemned thugs who attack taxi driver. Mr Astley said: “It doesn’t matter who the driver works for. It is getting worse and worse for drivers.
“The people probably only got off with a few pounds. It’s sickening these incidents are becoming more and more frequently for drivers.
“It’s becoming an everyday occurrence. We need to get this sorted as it’s just a constant battle for drivers.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 8565609, 0161 8565625, 0161 8565645 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
