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Taxi driver assaulted during attempted knifepoint robbery by passenger in Belfast
A taxi driver has been threatened with a knife and assaulted by a passenger during an attempted robbery in Belfast.
It happened on Malcolmson Street in Belfast shortly before 7pm on Saturday.
Detective Sergeant O’Flaherty of Police Service Northern Ireland, said: “At around 6:45pm, it was reported that a taxi was sitting stationary in the Amelia Street area when it was approached by an unknown man. The man got into the car and asked the driver to pick up a woman at the Ross Street area. Following this, he then directed the driver to the Springfield Road area via Malcomson Street.
“At around 7pm, the female passenger got out of the car at Malcomson Street and at that time, the male passenger threatened the driver with a knife and demanded money. The driver was struck a number of times on the head with the man’s phone, then the passenger got out of the car and made off towards the Falls Road area."
The driver was not badly injured but was left shaken after the incident, during which nothing is believed to have been taken.
The male passenger is described as being 5”4 in height, aged in his early 20s, slim build with dark hair and stubble. He was reportedly wearing a blue, hooded jacket and black trousers.
