A taxi driver has been left traumatised after being held at knife point in Bury before his cab was stolen early on New Year's Eve.

Tanveer Jaffery was working on Saturday, December 31 when a job was booked for him to go to Kestrel Drive at around 5.30am with taxi firm Elton Bullitt Taxis.

When he arrived at the address, a man got in the front passenger side of the car and put a knife on Mr Jaffery neck, Raja Naveed Aijaz, vice chairman of the Private Hire Driver’s Association Bury said.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Jaffrey, who cannot speak fluent English, Mr Aijaz said: “As Mr Jaffery turned up at the address in his white Toyota Prius, a male opened the door and jumped in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.

“The male had a knife in his hand, and he put the knife on Mr Jaffery’s neck and told him that he wants his vehicle.

“He said he should leave the vehicle and take his mobile phone and taxi tracking device with him, and if he resists or retaliates, he will be slaughtered with this knife.

“Mr Jaffery did not resist and went out the vehicle and handed the car keys to the culprit who drove off from the scene.”

The taxi driver then managed to contact other taxi drivers in the area to warn them and phoned the police.

Mr Jaffery managed to find the car on their tracking devices but he saif police were unable to trace it and reportedly him not to follow the car as it could be dangerous.

Then on Sunday one of the drivers from a drivers WhatsApp group phoned Mr Aijaz to say they had spotted the vehicle nearby.

Mr Aijaz said: “They said that the vehicle is parked on Myrtle Street North in Bury, which is less than half a mile away from Kestrel Drive.

“When we went there and saw that it was the correct vehicle, it had damage on the left wing and tyre.

“The car was just half a mile from where it was stolen and when we were there some residents said that the car had been there for two days, so it was left on the same day it was stolen.”

The terrifying experience has deeply affected Mr Jaffery.

Mr Jaffery said: “I’ve not just suffered income loss on a very busy festival period but have also gone through a lot of mental stress and trauma.

“My whole family was very disturbed and the car is still in garage being repaired.”

The incident has also shaken other taxi drivers across Bury.

Mr Aijaz added: “The car was in the same area and the car was stolen with the help of a knife- this is a knife crime which should be taken very seriously as it is a threat to everyone.

“Someone is walking the streets with a knife who could harm a person, a child, anyone and this wasn’t taken seriously which is a big concern for the drivers, the drivers don’t feel safe after this incident.

“Anyone can book a cab and jump in with a knife, he could have killed him.

“Tanveer lost so much money as he couldn’t drive on New Year's Eve but the trauma he went through with someone putting a knife to his neck is massive."

Bury West councillor Shahbaz Arif said he is happy to hear the driver was not seriously injured in the attack.

But he added: "This matter clearly highlights that knife crime is still very prevalent in Bury and our taxi drivers who are trying to earn a living are exposed to such frightening attacks.

"I hope this incident will strengthen Bury GMP’s resolve to take knives off the streets of Bury."

Greater Manchester Police has been approached for information about the incident.

If you have any details contact the force on 101.

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