TAXI drivers are bracing themselves for a rough ride over the festive period after thugs tied up and beat a cabbie, robbing of his takings.

The 56-year-old, from Runcorn, had his jaw and nose broken and £150 stolen as he drove three men from Frodsham to Chester.

"It makes you think what this world has come to and how people can be so evil," the unnamed man's 27-year-old daughter told the World.

"It was only because of two lads walking past that the police were called.

"I hope the scumbags who did this rot in hell!"

Police hunting the men say they fled the scene in Chester City Centre shortly after 2.30am on Sunday.

Cabbies in Runcorn say violence, abuse and customers simply not paying are all too common, especially when alcohol or drugs are involved.

"The problem is you just don't know who is going to get in your car," said George Davies, of Grosvenor Taxis.

"You don't know if they are a decent person or not. I was assaulted by some lads who jumped me at the Asda and I know lots of drivers who have packed it in because of the hassle.

"People running off without paying can happen to you two or three times in one night and you do find it happens more over Christmas and New Year when people have had a drink.

"People forget we're just normal people trying to do a day's work not trying to rip anyone off.

"Most drivers would never kick someone out of their cab if they'd just run out of money, especially a woman. If someone is straight with me, I'll be straight with them, but we've got to be cautious."

A Cheshire Police spokesman warned that any incidents involving drunken violence or robbery would be treated seriously.

"This time of year you do get a lot of people drinking more and more often and we will have additional officers on the street to deal with drunken and anti-social behaviour," she said.

"Anyone caught will be dealt with appropriately."

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