Taxi driver had knife held against his neck in 'vicious' Burnley robbery

A man grabbed a taxi driver by his neck before robbing him at knifepoint in a shocking attack in Burnley.
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A taxi driver, a man in his 50s, from Nelson, was violently robbed after being called to a fare on Heath Street from a withheld number today (November 6).

He picked up a man who started directing him to a number of streets before finally stopping the car on Earl Street.

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The man then grabbed the driver around the neck before holding a knife to his throat and demanding cash.

The offender then grabbed the victims money bag, which reportedly contained £200, before making off from the scene in the direction of Nelson.

Police were made aware of the incident after being called to Colne Road at around 12.40am.

Det Insp Joanne Williams, of Burnley CID, said: "This was a shocking and vicious robbery which has left the victim very shaken.

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"We would appeal to anyone with information about this attack to come forward.

A man grabbed a taxi driver by his neck before robbing him at knifepoint in Burnley. (Credit: Google)A man grabbed a taxi driver by his neck before robbing him at knifepoint in Burnley. (Credit: Google)
A man grabbed a taxi driver by his neck before robbing him at knifepoint in Burnley. (Credit: Google)

"Do you recognise the man described, or saw someone in the Heath Street area acting suspiciously between midnight and 12.30am? If so please come forward."

The attacker has been described as Asian and 5ft 10in tall.

He was wearing a dark-coloured hooded jacket, a dark-coloured scarf which was covering his nose and mouth and dark-coloured trousers.

The victim's money bag has been described as a black and red bag from River Island, with a black strap and red stripe on the side.

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Anyone with information has been urged to contact police by calling 101 or emailing [email protected], quoting log number 0032 of November 6.

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