A TAXI driver was run over after his cab was taken during a disturbance at a taxi rank in Bicester.

Police said four men pushed ahead in the taxi queue at the rank in Market Square and got into a taxi; two other men took offence at this and started an argument.

The taxi driver was manhandled out of his cab and one of the four men inside jumped into the driver's seat and drove it away.

Whilst driving off the taxi driver had his left foot run over, which left him with injuries that were treated by paramedics at the scene.

The vehicle, a Fiat Scudo, was found abandoned later in Caversfield.

The incident happened in the early hours of Friday, but details were only released this afternoon.

Det Con Graeme Johnson of Cherwell police said: "We need to clarify exactly what happened here and who was responsible for the dreadful way this cabbie was treated.

"Taxi drivers provide an invaluable service, a job that sometimes puts them vulnerable situations. We won't tolerate such crimes against people just trying to do their job.

"If you were in the taxi queue or Market Hill when this incident happened, or saw the Fiat Skudo being abandoned, we would be very keen to hear from you."

Det Con Johnson can be contacted via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you do not want to talk to police and do not want to leave your name, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.