A cabbie has demanded the racist thugs who beat up and robbed him be brought to justice.

Riaz Ahmed, 42, said he was attacked by three passengers in Allerton, Bradford, who racially abused him and struck him with a stick and metal bar.

Mr Ahmed, who lives in Keighley, and works for Culling-worth firm DCW Taxis, said the men involved were all over 25. “These weren’t just kids,” he said. “They have to be brought to justice.” Mr Ahmed said he picked up four men from Harden just after 4am on Saturday, who each asked to be taken to different locations.

He reached Allerton at about 4.45am and dropped off one of the passengers. Mr Ahmed said he had previously heard this man tell his friends to leave the driver alone.

As soon as the man had left, his friends said they would not pay the fare.

Mr Ahmed said he politely asked them to leave the car, but one of them punched him in the face.

The men then got out of the car, dragged Mr Ahmed from his seat and began kicking and beating him, hurling racial abuse.

He was hit with a metal bar and stick, which injured his hip and hand.

The thugs also kicked in one of the car doors.

The attack stopped when one of the men grabbed his week’s earnings of £280 and the car’s satellite navigation equipment. The men then ran off.

Mr Ahmed, who is married with six children, said he was currently off work.

A spokesman for Airedale and North Bradford police said the incident was being investigated. Anyone who saw anything suspicious in Thornton Old Road, at around 4.40am should contact PC Alison Dempsey at the Airedale and North Bradford Neighbourhood Investigations Unit on 0845 6060606.