An Oldham taxi driver was stabbed in the arm on Sunday as he tried to defend himself against two robbers who only managed to swipe car keys.
The 36-year-old driver was approached by two thugs at around 9.20pm as he stopped to pick up a fare on Park Lane.
One of the offenders then threatened the driver with a knife and demanded his takings while the other man tried to take his mobile phone and charger.
As the victim attempted to defend himself he was stabbed in the arm and the men grabbed car keys when disturbed by a passer-by.
Detective Constable Gulnaz Akhtar based at Oldham Police Station said: “We do not know whether a call was put in to the taxi driver and these man have targeted him or whether it has been a random attack but we are determined to find who was responsible.
“This was a violent attack and when he put up a fight, he was stabbed a number of times in the arm and he is currently in hospital recovering.
“The offenders did not manage to take his money but did steal his car keys. Thankfully, the passer by disturbed them before things got worse.”
The man holding the knife is described as being white, 6ft tall, of slim build, in his early or mid-20s, wore a grey cotton tracksuit and a red patterned scarf that covered his mouth and chin.
The second is described as being white, of medium build, in his early or mid-20s and 5ft 10in tall. He wore a black nylon jacket with the hood up and black tracksuit trousers. He was clean shaven and spoke with a local accent.
DC Akhtar added: “I would ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident or saw two men fitting the descriptions running away from Park Lane to contact police.”
Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 8952 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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