Published: Sunday, 5th October, 2008 12:00pm

Gun ordeal for taxi drivers

by Ann-Marie Canavan

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TWO taxi drivers in Slough have been threatened with a handgun and robbed in the last four days.

The first incident took place on Thursday (October 2) at around 8.30pm at The Greyhound Pub in Albert Street.

The cabbie received a call and picked up three men from Hencroft Street South in the town centre.

He drove them a short distance to the pub and as they reached their destination one of the men pulled out a black handgun.

He then demanded the driver's property and hit him in the face with the weapon before all three offenders ran off.

The suspects stole cash, a sat nav and a mobile phone.

All three men were black and one has been described by police as approximately 25 years old, of medium build and was wearing a baseball cap and big light blue coat.

The second incident took place yesterday evening (October 4) at around 8.15pm in Sandown Road, Britwell.

A taxi driver picked up four young men from Sandown Road after a call was received from a telephone kiosk on Scaffel Road.

As the men got into the vehicle they attacked him and threatened him with a small black pistol before forcing him to hand over cash, a mobile phone and a taxi radio.

The victim who suffered bruisng to the chest and cuts to his face was taken to Wexham Park hospital for treatment.

All four men are black and were wearing black hooded tops.

Taxi drivers in the area have now been warned by police to remain extra vigilant.

Det Con Paul Thomas, investigating the incidents, said: "We have been liaising with the taxi companies and we have given them advice of how they can help protect themselves from becoming victims of this type of crime.

"We urge taxi companies in Slough not to take bookings from withheld numbers unless they are established customers and ensure they get a full name.

"I am appealing to anyone with information or anyone who witnessed these robberies to contact me or Crimestoppers."

Det Con Thomas can be contact at Slough police station via the 24-hour non-emergency number, 0845 8 505 505. If you do not want to speak to the police, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.