Published: 06/09/2010 16:56 -
Updated: 06/09/2010 17:13
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a series of serious attacks and robberies on taxi drivers in Northampton in the past few weeks, which left one driver needing treatment for knife wounds.
At least three separate attacks have occurred on cabbies in and around the town. Taxi companies are being given advice by the police in relation to these attacks and patrols have been stepped up in the Abington area of the town, where these robberies have taken place.
The first robbery happened on Birchfield Road, Northampton at around 11.30pm on Bank Holiday Monday.
The driver was grabbed around the neck from behind, by a man and a woman, and told to hand over his money.
The man is described as white, aged 26-28, 5ft 9 ins tall and of medium build. The woman is white, possibly named Sophie, and is aged around 18-22, 5ft 5ins tall and of thin build with straight black shoulder-length hair.
The second robbery took place on the Ashburnham Road, between 9.50pm and 10pm on Tuesday, August 31 and is being linked with the first attack.
Three women had booked a taxi and gave the cabbie instructions to go to Ashburnham Road, when they attacked the driver with a knife against his throat demanding he hand over money.
The women were unable to take any money and the driver suffered was treated to his injuries in hospital.
All the women are white and aged in their late teens - one is skinny with light blond shoulder-length hair, one has black shoulder-length hair and the third woman is slim with black hair.
Three men and two boys were arrested after another taxi driver robbery in the Kings Heath area of Northampton during the early hours of September 4.
The driver was threatened with a knife by one a group of five offenders and cash was stolen from the taxi.An 18-year-old man from Kings Heath in Northampton was subsequently
charged in connection with the robbery.
Two men from Northampton - aged 20 and 18, the latter also from Kings Heath - received a caution.
Two boys - aged 17 and 16 - were issued with reprimands and warned as to their future conduct.
Police have also been handing out packs of SmartWater to taxi firms in the town to help protect SatNavs and other equipment that are easily removable from cabs.Sector Coordinator Mark Buttery said: “We maintain close links with our taxi and private hire vehicle drivers and attend regular meetings. Many of the drivers felt SmartWater would be beneficial to them as they said the often felt vulnerable to vehicle crime.
“The firms are really positive about the work we have put in to safeguard them on the town’s roads. We aim to work in partnership with the community and react swiftly and constructively to local business concerns.”
