Two men arrested in connection with vicious attacks on Nelson taxi drivers

Following two separate attacks on cabbies in the Lancashire area, Nelson Police have confirmed that they have made two arrests in connection to the crimes.

A spokesperson for the force said: "In the last 24 hours we have been made aware of two assaults on taxi drivers in the east of the county.

"We were called at around 7.15pm on Sunday to reports of a robbery on Smith Street in Nelson, when a taxi driver was assaulted before having his vehicle stolen.

"The driver suffered cuts and bruises to the face. A 32-year-old man from Colne was arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody."

A 39-year-old man from Nelson was also arrested a short time later after the police were called at around 12.25am on Monday to reports a second taxi driver had been assaulted on Halifax Road in Brierfield.

Detective Inspector Martin Melvin said: “We have been made aware of two assaults on taxi drivers which have occurred overnight.

“Thankfully both men are recovering, but it is clearly utterly unacceptable that they were targeted as they went about their work.

“We have since arrested two people, who remain in police custody while we carry out further enquiries, and we hope this sends a message that we take all reports of this type of crime seriously.”

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