Taxi driver robbed in Middleton

Police are hoping to trace two women who could hold vital clues to a cab driver robbery.
At about 4.30am on Friday 1 January, police received a report that a private hire cab driver had been dragged out his vehicle and robbed in Middleton.

Earlier that morning the 40-year-old driver picked up two men and two women from Oldham town centre and drove them towards Manchester.

The two women got out on Copper Fold, Middleton, and the car drove on. When it got to Nowell Road, the two remaining men told the driver to hand over his car keys and his money.

He refused, stopped the car and tried to run off but the robbers chased him and punched and kicked the victim before fleeing with his money.

The victim has been unable to provide police with a description of the offenders and officers are now appealing for the two women who earlier shared a taxi with the offenders to get in touch.

Detective constable Janice Cruttwell, of Rochdale CID, said: "I want to stress that the women are not in any trouble - we simply believe they could hold vital information about the offenders.

"If you got into a car with two men in Oldham town centre in the early hours of New Year's Day, and you later got out in Middleton, then please get in touch."

Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4646 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.