Detectives are linking two late-night attacks in which taxi drivers were threatened at knifepoint by robbers posing as passengers.

The first happened at midnight on Saturday when the driver of a Hackney carriage was flagged down in Duckworth Lane, Toller, by two Asian males.

One of the men jumped into the front seat of the cab.

His accomplice climbed into the back and held a small-bladed knife to the driver's throat.

The robbers took £25 in cash from his night's takings before forcing him out of the car to the Abbey National cashpoint in Duckworth Lane.

But the Asian taxi driver refused to withdraw any money and, after a brief struggle, the pair fled on foot.

The knifeman is described as Asian, in his mid-20s, 5ft 8ins tall, slim, wearing a black baseball cap, a dark scarf which covered his face, and dark clothing.

The second man is described as Asian, in his early 20s, 6ft tall, wearing dark clothing.

Less than 45 minutes later, at around 12.40am Sunday morning, two men fitting the same description flagged down a Neighbours Brantwood taxi in the Whetley Hill area of Bradford.

They asked the Asian driver to take them along Green Lane and Whetley Lane to Preistman Street.

When the taxi stopped, the back seat passenger pressed a knife against the driver's throat.

The pair stole a two-way radio and mobile phone before making off on foot.

Both taxi drivers suffered minor cuts to their necks, and were extremely shocked and shaken by their ordeal.

Detective Sergeant Paul Kelsey, of Toller Lane CID, said: "These are particularly nasty incidents where the taxi drivers have had a knife held at their throats. Both are being linked.

"We would appeal for anyone who was in the Duckworth Lane, Whetley Hill, area late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, and who may have seen something, to come forward.

"It is possible that these two men may have been picked up earlier in the evening by different taxi drivers."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Toller Lane CID on Bradford 376285 or the Toller Lane help desk on Bradford 376259.

l One man was arrested in connection with the incidents on Sunday and is being questioned by detectives at Toller Lane CID.

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