Taxi driver stabbed for meter

A man who tried to steal a taxi meter in Heywood stabbed the driver three times without a word of warning.

At about 9.25pm on Sunday 16 January 2011, the taxi driver, a 32-year-old man, went to pick up a fare at Coverdale Close.

He waited in the taxi, a Toyota Hiace, outside the house when he saw a man in a nearby alleyway.

After disappearing for a moment, the man suddenly got into the taxi via the passenger door and stabbed the victim in the arm three times.

The offender then tried to pull off the taxi meter but failed and ran off. The victim got out of the taxi in fear of his safety.

Officers are trying to trace a white man, about 5ft 6in to 5ft 8in tall, of slim build wearing dark clothing and a balaclava.

Police Constable Nadim Ahmad said: "An unnecessary amount of violence was shown here. The offender didn’t care about the consequences to the victim, and all he wanted was the meter.

"We are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone with information, to make contact with us."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 8427 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.