A taxi driver has opened up on his "difficult time" after his livelihood was stolen from his drive in Watford.

Police are currently investigating the theft of Khyzar Mushtaq’s black Toyota Corolla after it was taken in Desmond Road sometime between 10pm on Tuesday, January 24, and 5.20am the next day.

Mr Mushtaq explained that he had stepped outside just after 5am to take someone to Heathrow for an early morning job when he discovered the car, which had been locked, was gone.

Watford Observer: The stolen carThe stolen car (Image: Khyzar Mushtaq)

The father said: “It’s been a difficult time. I’m feeling very down. It was my bread and butter and losing that is quite hard.”

He was unable to get a courtesy car through insurance and is now looking into renting a vehicle, as he is currently unable to work.

The 32-year-old has worried about how he can continue to look after his family and had to cancel seeing his three-year-old daughter, who he usually picks up three days a week, while he works to get everything in order again.

“I definitely think people should be taking precautions [to protect their vehicles], spend a little money if you have to,” he said.

“I hope what happened to me makes people more aware. I saw there were a lot of similar things happening this month.”

Having recently had to provide some documents for his taxi company after an MOT, his car contained his TfL licence and certificate, logbook, credit cards, debit cards, £150 in cash, glasses, and his niece’s blue badge.

All of this has added to the headache that followed the theft.

Watford Observer: The stolen carThe stolen car (Image: Khyzar Mushtaq)

“I’m thinking of getting one of the doorbell cameras or something that can protect the car because now I have had to go through this," he said.

“Cars are very expensive these days and it will take me some to get back up and running.”

According to Mr Mushtaq, due to a dashcam tracker, he was told the car engine was on at 3.31am and after a three-minute drive it stopped in Chilcot Road, but there is no tracking information after that stop.

Watford Observer: The stolen carThe stolen car (Image: Khyzar Mushtaq)

Anyone with information which may assist the investigation is asked to contact police, quoting crime reference 41/6785/23.