A man was arrested after a stolen taxi was allegedly involved in a crash with four other vehicles.

Cab driver Mohammed Ashraf said he was stunned when he saw his taxi speeding away from a rank in Watford High Street, at 3.25am on Sunday March 18.

The 64-year-old said he had stepped out of the grey taxi as he needed a break from driving in snowy conditions but was shocked when he realised someone had climbed into the driver’s seat.

After driving off, the car was involved in a collision in Rickmansworth Road and was eventually tracked down by police officers on the M25 between J18 and J19.

A police van was also damaged.

Mr Ashraf recalled: “It was quite scary seeing my car drive away.

“I turned round and saw someone sat in my driver’s seat. I told him it was my taxi and thought he was having a laugh but he just took off and I just ran after him and shouted my car had been taken.

“I’ve seen a lot of different behaviour during the 25 years I have worked as a driver but this has been a very stressful incident.”

Hertfordshire Police have charged a 39-year-old man from Hemel Hempstead with a string of offences.

They include taking a taxi without the owner’s consent, criminal damage to a police van, and failure to provide a specimen of breath for analysis.

The man is due to appear before magistrates at Central West Herts Magistrates Court on April 6.

Watford Observer:

The taxi is now being repaired.