A TAXI driver was dragged along the road as he tried to stop his car from being stolen.

Cabbies are now calling for an increased police presence at weekends after the cab was taken from a rank in Market Square, Bicester.

Four men pushed into the taxi queue and got into the cab, before starting an argument with other people waiting in the queue.

One of them grabbed taxi driver Azher Iqbal and dragged him out of the vehicle.

As they drove away Mr Iqbal, from High Wycombe, was dragged along. The taxi was then driven over his foot.

Cab owner Saeed Ahmed, 65, is asking for more help from police.

He said: "He tried to stop the taxi being stolen and was dragged along the road. His legs and knees were bruised - I don't know when he can drive again.

"I feel very, very bitter. Drivers are getting assaulted in the Market Square.

"There are people fighting in the taxi rank when the taxis pull up and they get involved.

"We want more police protection. It would be better to see more police here on Thursday nights and at the weekend."

Mr Iqbal is recovering at home and has yet to return to work.

The taxi, a Fiat Scudo, stolen at about 2.30am last Friday, was later recovered by police in Caversfield, just outside the town.

Mr Ahmed added: "We have appealed to the police to have someone observing the drivers in the taxi rank in the town centre, so no one can jump the queue.

"The drivers are doing the job of the police. We're the ones who have to take home the drunken folk, we're the ones who get assaulted."

Alpha controller Dawn McKenzie said: "In all the years I've been in Bicester it's got worse. It's happening more and more, because people are getting away with it."

Bicester neighbourhood officer PC Nicki Entwistle said: "We're aware of the drivers' worries and we're in talks with the Bicester Taxi Drivers Association so they can air their views and we can address any concerns they have.

"For the past six months there has been an increased number of patrols, particularly in the 1am to 3am period, which is most likely to suffer from alcohol-related disorder."

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505 or speak to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.