A taxi driver was threatened at knifepoint during an attempted robbery in Teesside.
Cleveland Police say the attack happened in Billingham at about 8.15pm on Thursday (October 22), after three men got into a red Toyota Prius taxi.
As the taxi travelled along Marsh House Avenue, the men shouted at the driver to pull over and hand over his keys.
The force said one suspect then pulled out a knife and pressed it against the driver’s shoulder.
The driver was threatened while driving three young men, believed to be 16 to 17 years old, along Marsh House Avenue in Billingham. (Image: Google)
The driver escaped from the car with his keys and was chased along Rochester Road by the suspects before they eventually gave up.
The driver left the taxi at the scene and ran to safety at a nearby property, where a member of the public called police.
Cleveland Police are now appealing for witnesses and anyone with CCTV footage from the area to come forward, and have released descriptions of all three men.
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The suspects are described as white males, around 5ft tall, of slim build, and believed to be around 16 to 17 years old.
A spokesperson for Cleveland Police described the suspects and said: "Male 1: white male with a local accent, approx 5ft tall, around 16 years old and of slim build. Wearing a black tracksuit, jacket with hood up with an On Cloud logo visible and black tracksuit bottoms.
"Male 2: white male with a local accent, approximately 5ft tall, around 17 years old, of slim build with short, blonde hair.
"Male 3: white male with a local accent, approximately 5 ft tall, around 16 years old, of slim build and wearing a black hoodie and black bottoms."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number 211852.