November 22 2011

Police are seeking witnesses after a taxi driver was robbed at knifepoint in Newhaven.

Shortly before 2.30am on Sunday 20 November, the driver picked up four young men outside Buddies on Brighton seafront. The men asked to be taken to Newhaven, but told the driver to stop at the Newhaven one-way system, just past the junction with Lewes Road, before they had reached their destination. Here the driver was punched in the face, a knife was produced by one of the men, and his £135 takings were stolen before the men ran off back in the direction of Lewes Road.

All the men are described as white and in their early to mid-twenties. The first was said to be about 5' 6" and of medium build, clean shaven with short shaved blond hair. He wore a white t-shirt. The second was about 5'5", pale with short blond tidy hair. He was also of a medium build and did not have a jacket but may have also been wearing a t-shirt. The third man was of medium build and slightly taller than the first two, with short blond hair worn brushed down. He had a skinny face and again was quite pale in complexion. There is no detailed description of the fourth man at this stage.

The taxi driver, who comes from Brighton, was badly shaken but did not require medical treatment.

Detective Constable John Steven of East Sussex CID said; "We would like to hear from anyone who saw this group getting into the cab outside Buddies, or who saw them running away from the cab in Newhaven town centre. If you can help please contact us via 101 quoting serial 0168 of 20 November. You can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously if you wish via 0800 555 1111."