Double assaults on drivers

TWO taxi drivers have been assaulted during separate incidents in Middleton.
On Thursday at 10pm, a 47-year-old driver picked up two men in Morton Street who asked him to drive to Langley.

As he drove, one of the passengers held a knife to his throat and the other squirted CS spray in his face.

The pair stole money before running away.

At 3am on Friday morning, two men got into a taxi at Diamond Taxis in Rochdale Road.

When the driver reached Asby Close, one squirted the driver’s face with CS spray and the other demanded money before stabbing his arm and slashing his hand.

The men stole the keys to the taxi and a cash bag before running off through the Langley Estate.

In both incidents the men are described as white, in their late teens or early 20s, about 5ft 8in tall and of medium build. One of the men has fair hair and the other dark.

Detective Constable Gerard Fisher from the Rochdale Robbery Unit said: “Although it is likely these two incidents are linked, we are not ruling anything out.

“Both drivers are honest men going about their daily work when they were subjected to violent and terrifying ordeals.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the area or who recognises the descriptions calls the police.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call 0161 856 4052 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.