TAXI drivers in Kentish Town have been put on high alert after being targeted by violent gun-carrying robbers. A gang has struck three times in recent weeks. The latest incident on Saturday left a driver needing hospital treatment for a head wound. On eac

TAXI drivers in Kentish Town have been put on high alert after being targeted by violent gun-carrying robbers.

A gang has struck three times in recent weeks. The latest incident on Saturday left a driver needing hospital treatment for a head wound.

On each occasion, the gang posing as passengers called out a cab to the Peckwater Estate in the early hours of the morning. The driver was then threatened with a gun, beaten and stripped of any valuables.

Det Insp Gary Randall said: "We would advise mini-cab drivers to be extra vigilant when collecting their customers. Cab companies should ensure that they have the correct contact details and addresses of customers they are collecting. They should exercise caution when exiting their vehicles and ensure they are aware of any suspicious activity. Serial numbers of electrical items can be registered for free at immobolise.com which will assist police in tracing stolen property".

On Saturday, a minicab driver was called to an address in Islip Street just after midnight.

When he arrived, three men got into his car and directed him to the Peckwater Estate.

A gun was then pointed at his head. He was dragged out of his cab before being punched and kicked.

On Saturday November 9, a 36-year-old driver had a gun pointed at his head just after picking up three men. And on October 2, a 48-year-old driver was attacked when he got out of his car to knock on a door. He was hit over the head with a hand gun.

All the drivers had their own valuables stolen together with equipment from their cars.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward before the gang strikes again.

Kentish Town councillor Nick Russell said: "I am shocked at these appalling crimes.

"The community needs to get together and co-operate to find out who these people are and bring them to justice.

"I wouldn't be surprised if the cab companies began black listing Kentish Town if they thought it was going to be unsafe."

In Saturday's incident, the suspects were two black men - one wearing a black jacket and black woolly hat - and an Asian man.

In the attack on November 9, the front seat passenger was a white man in his early to mid-20s, 5ft 5ins, wearing a white hooded top. The others were dressed in black and had their faces covered.

On October 2, the suspects were three black men, all wearing grey tracksuits. Two were 6ft tall.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Camden Police on 020-7404 1212 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.