A taxi driver who was robbed and beaten by two passengers is complaining to police about their handling of the case.

Qurban Qazmi, 45, who is a hackney carriage driver at Central Taxis in Lumb Lane, was punched, choked and had his ear bitten in the attack at 2.30am on Saturday.

Shabir Hussain, chairman of the Bradford Hackney Carriage Association, claims that police did not search the area for the men.

"This driver was badly beaten yet the police seem to treat it as just another offence against a taxi driver," he said.

"We are trying to make a living and work unsociable hours but when something like this happens it doesn't seem to matter. This is one of the worst attacks we've had in a while but the police don't seem bothered.

"I'm very unhappy with the way it has been handled and will be making an official complaint on behalf of the association and Mr Qazmi."

Mr Qazmi, 45, of Grenfell Drive in Bradford Moor, picked up two men and a woman from a city centre wine bar. to go to Laisterdyke.

The woman got out of the car and the men said they wanted to be dropped off at Mary Street, off Bowling Back Lane.

"The one in the back grabbed him round the throat and bit his ear while the one in the front punched him," said Mr Hussain. The assault lasted about five minutes. He was badly shaken and his face was cut and bleeding. The pair took more than £100 off him and ran off towards the traveller's site in Mary Street.

"Our operator rang 999 as he radioed them for help. We believe there was no proper search of the area and the officers did not seem particularly concerned."

Mr Qazmi, who is married with six children, was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary and later released. "I was very shocked and frightened as they were just punching me," he said.

"I couldn't really see them as they covered their faces with their jackets."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "We have received a report of a robbery which we are taking very seriously and are investigating thoroughly.

"An officer has been allocated to look at this investigation. If Mr Qazmi has any concerns about the way this case has been handled then he is welcome to put them in writing and they will be looked at."

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