Leicester Taxi Drivers Targeted

17 January 2012, 18:06 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after two taxi drivers in the city were robbed of their cars by a gang of men.

The first incident happened at about 8.30pm on Sunday January 15, when the taxi driver collected four men from Coombe Close, Leicester.
The driver took the men to Thurcaston Road, near to Oakenshaw Close, where they threatened him with two guns and demanded he hand over his takings and mobile phone.

The driver handed over his belongings, got out of the car and watched as the men drove away towards David Avenue.
The car has since been recovered, on Thurcaston Road near to Greengate Lane, and a gun believed to be involved in the incident has also been recovered from woodland near to Croft Road, Leicester.

The second incident happened last night (Monday January 16) at about 6.20pm when a taxi driver was robbed by a group of three men in Trent Avenue.

The driver had collected the men from Peppercorn Close and stopped in Trent Avenue, where two of them threatened him with what have been described as two knives.

The victim got out of the car, a silver Toyota Avensis, vehicle registration number S144 APN, and the men drove off.  
The men in both incidents have been described as being black and aged in their twenties.

Detective Sergeant John Farndon, the investigating officer, said: "We have a team of officers working on this and hope that members of the public will be able to help us locate those responsible.

"The two incidents happened in a short space of time, in similar circumstances with similar suspect descriptions so we are looking into the possibility that they are linked.

"Thankfully the drivers were not injured, but this was a very traumatic experience for them. We have recovered one of the vehicles but the Toyota is still missing and we are keen to locate it.

"If you think you know who is responsible, witnessed either of the incidents or know the location of the stolen Toyota please get in touch.?
PC Tejas Mavani, an officer from the city licensing team, said: ?We are now going to liaise with taxi drivers across the city to offer them some advice and to make them aware of these incidents.

"If you are a taxi driver and are the victim of a crime whilst driving always try and write down as much as you can about the incident. It?s important to try and remember descriptions of the suspect(s) and also to preserve the scene.

"Also don?t resist. Resistance can often encourage an angry and aggressive response and no item is worth being injured for."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact DS 1152 John Farndon by dialing 101.  Follow the instructions to leave a message for a police officer, and when prompted key in the officer?s identification number 1152.  Alternatively, you may contact Crimestoppers, which is free* and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
* Please note, some mobile phone networks may charge for this call