POLICE are calling for witnesses after a bus driver was threatened with a syringe and robbed of £160 in fares by two men.

The incident took place on Sunday, August 20, as the First bus, which was not in service at the time, was travelling on the A500 at Weston.

As the bus approached the Mere Moor Moss roundabout, two men stepped into the road forcing the 21-year-old driver from Crewe to stop.

The men then pressed the emergency button to open the doors and boarded the vehicle A police spokesman said: 'Once on board the two men began shouting and swearing at the driver.

'One said 'give me all your money or I'll stab you with this syringe' although at no point was the weapon seen.

'The driver then handed over the money and was traumatised but uninjured.'

Police have described one of the men as white, aged 25 to 29-years-old, around 5ft 7ins tall and of medium build. He was wearing a dark, possibly navy blue top with the hood up and a scarf covering his face, and was carrying a petrol can.

The second man was wearing a red hooded top.

Following a similar incident recently in Hanley, Paul de Santis, commercial director for First said: 'This is an unusual occurrence for us. These incidents are the first I am aware of in over 12 months.

'Driver safety is paramount and as part of their induction training they are instructed not to put themselves at risk under any circumstances.'

* Witnesses should contact the Crewe Special Investigation Unit on 0845 4580000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.