Taxi knifepoint robbery leaves woman with '˜broken rib'

Sussex Police has issued a statement about the incident, which said: “Just minutes into Monday morning (1 August) two men were collected from Peveril Drive, Lancing, in a grey Ford Mondeo taxi.

“They asked to be taken to the far end of Orme Road where the taxi stopped.

“But instead of paying, one of the men put a knife to the driver’s throat and demanded his cash takings, mobile phone and keys, which he handed over.”

Police said the two men then walked down Orme Road in Worthing towards South Farm Road, Worthing.

According to police, moments later a man and woman on push bikes appeared and said they had noticed the suspects making off.

The woman rode after the suspects, who grappled with her and caused her bodily and facial injuries, including a suspected broken rib.

House-to-house enquiries are being made at the start and finish of the taxi ride, police said, but detectives are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the two suspects or who saw what happened.

Police believe that both men wore dark hooded tops and kept their faces covered. Both were 5’9” - 5’11” and are thought to be in their late 20s.

Detective Sergeant Simon Dunn, who is investigating, said: “These were nasty incidents and we would welcome any information which may help with our enquiries.”

Witnesses can email [email protected] or phone 101, quoting serial 0016 of 01/08.

Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.