A TAXI driver is angry that he was kept off the road by thieves who broke into his cab.

Nejdet Yorukoglu lost out on more than £100 in earnings and had to pay a £50 excess charge after his front passenger window was smashed.

He had parked his Vauxhall Vectra in Hesketh Crescent in Old Town as he was unable to find a space in his own road, Winifred Street, after finishing work at 9pm on Wednesday.

The 50-year-old, who works for United Radio Cars, said: "I was going to go out in the car in the morning and try to earn an honest living and it's quite busy in the mornings.

"I would have earned more than £100. I'm sad and I'm annoyed about it.

"I'm a taxi driver. I used to work in an office and if you were off sick you would still get paid.

"But when you're self employed it's different. I have a mortgage to pay and this has cost me."

Yesterday the Adver revealed that 1,500 vehicles had been broken into in Swindon since the start of the year.

Some hi-tech thieves are even using Bluetooth technology to detect if there are valuable electrical items in the car.

Mr Yorukoglu said: "It's happening everywhere in Swindon.

"I don't mean to be rude but where we live is a nice part of town and you don't expect it."

The taxi driver spent yesterday knocking on neighbours' doors to see if they had seen or heard anything.

"One lady said she heard something at about 11pm," he said.

"We try to look after each other's properties around here but other than that no one heard anything."

Nothing was taken from the car but Mr Yorukoglu said: "They had a good rummage through the glove box and beside the seat.

"My conclusion is that it was kids looking for a few quid so they could go and spend it on drink or whatever."

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: "Everyone's cars are important to them. Some people use them for pleasure and to get to and from work, others use their vehicles for work.

"This is a case of wanton damage and police are appealing for any information from anyone who was in the area and who saw or heard anything."

Anyone with information should call Swindon police on 0845 4087000 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.