DETECTIVES have released an Efit image of a man suspected of robbing a taxi driver and setting his car on fire.

The driver had answered a call to pick up a woman and four men outside the Heart and Club pub in Pypers Hatch at about 12.40am on Friday August 8.

But once the five people were inside the cab they demanded the driver’s takings and assaulted him when he refused the demand.

The front seat passenger then grabbed the driver around the neck while others in car took his wallet and £190 in cash and a Samsung PDA computer device, valued at £500.

The driver, who is in his 50s and from Harlow, was forced out of the car as the vehicle was driven away with the five suspects still on board.

Officers later found the £3,000 car, a blue Peugeot 307 estate, index number HK56OAV, completely burned out at Peldon Road, Harlow.

Investigating officer DC Mike Ferguson, said: “This was a vicious attack on a taxi driver who had been booked to take five people from the pub to the Pinnacles. Instead, he was assaulted, robbed, injured then had his car taken and destroyed by fire.

“All five people were involved in the robbery but the Efit is of the man who was sitting in the front seat and carried out the assault.

“The driver suffered cuts and bruises but did not need hospital treatment, although he was badly shaken.

“We want to hear from anyone who can identify the man or from anyone with information about the robbery or when the five people abandoned the car and set it on fire.”

Anyone who can help should contact DC Ferguson at Harlow CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.