A TAXI driver was robbed by two men as he drove them to Strood.

The 55-year-old Chatham cabbie picked up the two dark-skinned European-looking men close to Chatham Railway Station.

The pair told the driver they wanted to go to an area of Strood so he began to take them. They then asked to go towards Bunters Hill Road, Cliffe, and diverted him along a narrow country road - this is where the robbery happened between 9.30pm and 9.55pm on Monday, July 26.

As they were travelling along the road, one of the robbers pulled up the handbrake and demanded the cabbie gave him his wallet.

A spokesman for Medway Police said: “A quantity of cash, a mobile phone and two bank cards were stolen. The offenders then told the taxi driver to drive back into Bunters Hill Road and to stop in a lay-by.

“One of the offenders then got out of the car and walked round to the driver’s door, opened it and punched the victim on the cheek.”

At this point a car travelling in the opposite direction came towards them, the victim put his hazard lights on but the car failed to stop. Officers are keen to speak to the driver of this vehicle.

When another car approached, the shaken-up taxi driver managed to open his door which forced the approaching car to stop. He managed to break free from the robbing thugs and got into the back of the other car.

He told the other driver what had happened and he took him to a main road where he was able to alert the police.

The police spokesman added: “The offenders are both described as dark European, aged between 18 and 19, with black cropped hair. We would appeal for the first driver who did not stop to contact us as a matter of urgency as he or she may have vital evidence in connection with the robbery.”

Anyone who may have seen something or who may have information in connection with this incident is asked to contact Medway Police on 01634 884252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. All calls to Crimestoppers are free and are treated in the strictest of confidence.