A CAB driver was robbed as he sat in his car waiting for a fare. Two men wearing balaclavas, one with a knife and the other with a hammer, opened the front doors at the same time. One demanded money while the other asked the driver what he had in his pock

A CAB driver was robbed as he sat in his car waiting for a fare.

Two men wearing balaclavas, one with a knife and the other with a hammer, opened the front doors at the same time.

One demanded money while the other asked the driver what he had in his pockets.

The victim said he only had £20 on him which he handed over but one of the robbers then made him also give the bag around his waist.

They used the knife to cut the radio cord before fleeing with £100 cash, a mobile phone, petrol card and a radio mike.

The incident happened in Nokeside, Stevenage, on Friday at around 8.45pm.

The thieves ran off towards an alleyway going to The Noke.

Both were black, slim, in their 20s, about 5ft 6in tall and wore hoody tops.

In another incident, a woman walking along the underpass in Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, on Saturday at 5.30pm felt a hand on her shoulder and was then spun round to face a man who said: "Money money, knife knife."

He had one hand in the pocket of his hooded jacket but no knife was seen.

The victim took the purse from her handbag and handed it to the thief who removed the notes before throwing it on the floor.

After telling his victim to stay where she was, he ran off towards Lister Hospital.

Police say the man was east European, in his late 20s to early 30s, 5ft 7in tall, skinny build and dirty looking with black stubble on his face.

Anyone with information on the two incidents should call the Eastern Area crime desk on 01922 533002.