Passengers attack Edinburgh taxi driver Published duration 22 March 2013

image caption The taxi driver was attacked in his private hire car near the Tynecastle Arms in McLeod Street

A taxi driver has been assaulted and robbed by three men he picked up in his private hire car in Edinburgh.

The robbery happened at about midnight after he accepted the fare to pick up the men from Harvesters Way.

He drove them to McLeod Street in the Gorgie area of the city and parked close to Tynecastle Arms pub where he was assaulted inside the car.

The men stole his takings, ran off across Gorgie Road and headed in the direction of Newton Street.

They are all in their early 20s and have Scottish accents.

One man is 5ft, of average build and has brown hair. He was wearing a light-coloured hooded jumper.

Witness appeal

The second man is also about 5ft, of skinny build and was wearing a black hooded jumper with the hood up.

The third man is 5ft 10ins, well built, with brown hair and was wearing a black, hooded, waist-length jacket.

Police said they were seen to gesture towards the driver of a foreign-registered Mercedes that passed as they crossed the road. Two women were also seen walking along Gorgie Road at the time.

Det Con Joyce Gunderson, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "While the victim did not suffer any serious injury, he was left understandably shaken as a result of his ordeal, and we are appealing for any information that can help us trace those responsible.

"In particular, we want to trace the driver of the foreign-registered Mercedes seen driving in Gorgie Road as the suspects made their escape, and the two females who were seen walking along the road and would have seen the trio as they crossed the road into Newton Street.