Portsmouth Taxi Drivers Warned Over Cyclist Scam

11 October 2013, 06:51 | Updated: 11 October 2013, 06:53

A taxi driver's been targeted by robbers, after a cyclist pretended he'd been hit by his car in Portsmouth.

Police are appealing for possible groups of witnesses to come forward after the 39-year-old man was robbed in the Fratton area.

The driver was turning from Clydebank Road into Gamble Road shortly before 10.30pm on Friday 4 October when a cyclist came off his bike in front of the taxi.

Police say initial enquiries have established there was no contact between the cyclist and the taxi.

The driver stopped, left his taxi, and was then threatened by the cyclist and another two men.

The victim received injuries to his face when he was punched by the men who also demanded money and removed the keys from the ignition of the taxi.

£10 in cash was stolen and they made off into Nessus Street, but one man came back to retrieve the bicycle.

The three suspects are believed to be aged in their late teens to early 20s, all of medium build and around 5 ft 8 ins tall.

One man was described as black, with black frizzy hair and wearing a red top. He was riding a blue mountain bike.

The other two men were white; one of them was wearing a light-coloured top.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Pete Bugden said:

“This was a cowardly planned attack targeting a taxi driver who was working.

“Further enquiries have established there were witnesses in the area at the time of the robbery. Six people were walking along Gamble Road in a group, including a blonde woman in a light top, a man on a bicycle and a young child, possibly aged around five.

“A vehicle stopped behind the taxi at the time. Assistance from the occupants of that vehicle is sought in particular."