A TAXI driver has been robbed of his cash and phone by two men at knifepoint.

This is the second cabbie robbery inside 24 hours and has sparked fear among the taxi driver community.

In the latest robbery, the two thugs targeted a driver from Basildon-based Value Cars.

The men were picked up from Bockingham Green and directed the driver to a secluded area of Fairlop Gardens.

The driver, a 35-year-old who has asked to remain anonymous, said: “I thought they looked a bit scruffy and they smelt unclean, but they were making small talk with me and asked if I had a good day.

“They then directed me to a set of garages around the back of some houses at a dead end.

“Then one of them grabbed me by the shirt and put a knife to my throat while the other got out and opened the driver door.”

The man pulled the key out of the ignition and demanded the driver handed over cash.

“I had only had about three people before them so I didn’t have much. They asked for more so I took £30 or £40 out of my pocket and gave it to them.”

The men smashed the car radio and then stole the driver’s phone before fleeing the scene, leaving the driver shaken but physically unharmed.

This comes less than 24 hours after an A&B taxi driver was robbed by two men at knifepoint and police are investigating a possible link. The Value Cars driver said he believes they are the same people after exchanging suspect photos with the A&B driver.

The father-of-two added: “It was absolutely terrifying. You think about these things and if you will retaliate but I have a wife and kids - I can’t afford to argue over a couple of quid.

“I let the other drivers know as soon as it happened. All the drivers are being careful about who they are picking up now. Nothing like this has happened to me in the six years I have been a taxi driver.”

The first suspect is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall, aged 30 to 35, of medium build, with a scruffy beard and wore a blue puffed jacket and tracksuit bottoms. The second was black, of slim to medium build, a similar height and age and wore a jumper and blue jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting 42/143478/18.