A TAXI driver was threatened with a knife and had his taxi stolen in a nighttime attack in Temple.

Around 9pm on Friday, August 31, a person within a flat in Tambowie Street called a taxi. At the same time, a Vauxhall with a man and woman inside was parked on the road outside.

As the taxi arrived to pick up the customer, the man from the Vauxhall got out and threatened the 36-year-old taxi driver with a knife, demanding money from him.

The driver was forced out of the taxi, which was a Hyundai i30, and the man got in and attempted to drive the vehicle at the taxi driver.

Read more: Police probe as elderly woman, 76, robbed in Wishaw street

He jumped out the way and the suspect then drove off in the stolen taxi. The woman within the Vauxhall also drove off.

The taxi driver did not sustain any injuries but he has been left badly shaken by the incident.

The suspect is white, between 30 and 35, around 6 ft tall, with short shaved hair.

He was wearing a grey coloured tracksuit at the time of the incident.

It's understood the woman was was wearing a pink long sleeved top, however, no further description was available.

The Hyundai i30 was recovered burnt out a short time later on the canal path to the rear of Rotherwood Avenue.

Read more: Probe as four schoolboys robbed in Glasgow's south side

CCTV enquiries carried out so far have revealed the Hyundai i30 was being driven at excessive speed along Baldwin Avenue, Knighstwood, before eventually being abandoned and set on fire at the canal path.

Officers have been carrying out door-to-door enquiries and continue to check CCTV footage for any additional information.

Detective Constable Chris Sneddon said: “We do not know why this taxi driver has been attacked and had his cab stolen from him, the attack was completely random.

"We’re aware there were several people in the area around the time this incident occurred and I am appealing to them to contact us.

"At this stage, we don’t know how long the Vauxhall car with the male suspect and the woman was parked in the street.

Read more: Rangers fan 'stabbed' by gang of 'Celtic fans' after Old Firm clash

"Perhaps you saw them and can provide us with more information, in particular the woman, as we have very limited information on her.

"The stolen vehicle was speeding as it made off and people in the surrounding areas may have noticed the car given its excessive speed.

"If anyone has any information or knowledge regarding this incident or the suspects, then please get in touch with us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call officers at the Community Investigation Unit via 101, quoting incident number 4248 of 31 July 2018.

Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.