'Brave' taxi drivers help catch armed robber

Dale Allison, 43, of Mayland Avenue, Hull, has been jailed for seven years and two months

Two taxi drivers who helped police track down a knife-wielding robber have been praised by police.

Dale Allison, 43, of Mayland Avenue, Hull, was jailed for seven years and two months at Hull Crown Court on 2 October after pleading guilty to robbery.

Both drivers followed Allison after he threatened one of them with a knife and tried to steal the other's vehicle whilst at a car park on Hessle Road on 22 March.

Det Insp Gary Mathews said: "I would like to commend the bravery of the victims on that day for their actions and their swift response to help us identify Allison."

Humberside Police said Allison ordered a taxi to take him to an address in Hessle at about 00:20 BST and threatened the driver with a knife during the journey.

Allison demanded to be taken to a nearby car park on Hessle Road and stole £300 cash, bank cards and a driving licence.

Police said he then told the driver to get into the boot of the taxi before attempting to steal another taxi driver's car.

Both taxi drivers followed Allison in their vehicles to try and get a photo of him but Allison knifed one of the car's tyres before fleeing on foot, the force added.

Det Insp Mathews said: "Allison is a violent and dangerous individual who will now face the consequences of his actions behind bars."

He added: "Whilst this sentence will not take away the trauma and fear that the victim has to now live with daily, I hope it will provide some reassurance that this type of offending will not be tolerated.

"Nobody should have to go to work and feel unsafe".

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