POLICE are warning taxi and delivery drivers to be on their guard after two youths tried to snatch cash from a cab outside a Newport nightspot.

The Star Taxis driver was waiting outside the Excelsior Club on Corporation Road on Tuesday at 9.45pm, when the two youths tried to rob him.

The pair grappled with him, but were chased off by people from the club before they could steal the takings.

The driver, who asked not to be named, suffered minor injuries to his hand.

He said: "I went to pick up a customer on Corporation Road and four boys came from the George Street Bridge area. They opened my door and blew smoke in my face. I asked them to shut the door, and they started swearing and throwing stones at me.

"At this point my customers came out of the Excelsior and the four boys started fighting with them."

The driver said the incident was very frightening. "I don't like going through that area at all and whenever I do I'm very afraid. A few months ago I was driving there and I had my car pelted with eggs." Another taxi driver, who also asked to remain anonymous, said a similar incident earlier this month saw the youths involved running off with the takings.

"They 'swamp' the car by piling into the car to confuse the driver and get all his takings," he added.

"It's a real nightmare for us and somebody is going to get seriously hurt." PC Sally Jackson, the crime and disorder reduction officer for Gwent Police, said: "There were a gang of local youths in the area and it is likely it was them.

"Inquiries are ongoing at this stage, but we want drivers of taxis and delivery vehicles to beware of gangs of youths on Corporation Road. "When youths are approaching do not think of them as just youths but as potential attackers. They may attack in groups."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Maindee police on 01633 244999.