CCTV Released After Machete Threat

9 June 2011, 09:26 | Updated: 9 June 2011, 09:34

CCTV Image

Officers investigating the robbery of a taxi driver in Crawley have released CCTV images in a bid to trace the offenders.

On Sunday 8 May at approximately 4.05am the victim parked his taxi outside Three Bridges Railway Station where he was approached by two men who wanted to be taken to West Green.

The men didn't have any money but offered a phone to the taxi driver as a guarantee that they would be back with money. The taxi driver agrees and the men got into the car.

The victim took them to Quantock Close in West Green where the offenders went to get money. They returned two minutes later and threatened the taxi driver with a machete, demanding the mobile phone back and then money.

Detective Constable Mike George of West Sussex CID said: "The driver tried to close the window but they forced it to remain open and grabbed at his car keys in the ignition.

"The fob happened to break, leaving the car key in the ignition and they took the rest, which included another vehicle key and house keys.

"The men then made off towards the underpass at the end of Quantock Close which leads in the direction of Ifield Community College and comes out onto Ifield Drive.

"The taxi driver was left shaken but unhurt and no money was taken. We would like to speak to the two men pictured in the CCTV image and also the woman who is pictured separately, who we believe may know the offenders."

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 quoting serial 329 of 8/5.