Taxi drivers robbed and attacked with Substance – police arrest three people

Three men have been arrested after taxi drivers were robbed and sprayed with an offensive liquid

The following offences were reported to Hertfordshire police:

• A passenger made off with a quantity of cash after he sprayed a taxi driver in the face when he stopped in Harris Road to drop off the passenger in Harris Road at 2.44am on Monday 21 September.  
• On Saturday 26 September a man got into a taxi in Gullet Wood Road who then demanded cash. He poured an unknown substance on the driver before making off with cash.
•  Offenders forced entry into a taxi in Orbital Crescent and started demanding money. They then squirted an unknown substance at the driver before making off empty handed on Monday 28 September.
• At 5.40am yesterday (Thursday 1 October), an offender attempted to rob a taxi driver in Rushton Avenue. He threw an unknown liquid in the driver’s face. The victim drove off and nothing was taken.

Police labs are working to establish which liquid was used in the attacks.

Forensics at the scene of one of the arrested persons

Watford Police have released details of the three people have been arrested in connection with the robberies. 

A 40-year-old man from Watford and a 19-year-old man from Stevenage,  have both been arrested on suspicion of robbery, and now bailed until Tuesday 27 October while the investigation continues.

A 15-year-old boy from Watford has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in custody cell at this time.

All of the taxi drivers went to the hospital as a precaution, luckily none of the drivers sustained any injuries.

Watford Chief Inspector Ian Grout said: “This would have been a frightening ordeal for the victims and I know that these incidents have caused concern among Watford’s taxi driving community.

“Due to the unknown liquid being thrown at the drivers they were taken to hospital as a precaution and thankfully did not suffer any injuries. Our enquiries will include working to establish what that liquid was.

“We have arrested and bailed two people while we continue our investigation and I would like to reassure the public that they are subject to strict conditions during this time. A third person is currently in our custody.”

Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor said: “My thoughts are with those who have had to endure what must have been a deeply frightening ordeal and I wish them a very speedy recovery. People should be able to go about their daily business free from any fear of violence or loss of their livelihood.

“I am pleased our local police have been able to act swiftly and trust our taxi community feel reassured by their response.

Watford is not a place that tolerates criminal activity and we work closely with our police to keep our town safe for everyone.”