The late-night attack on the 41-year-old taxi driver happened after he picked up two men from Osbourne Road, Southsea, and took them to Oakwood Road, Hilsea.

When the driver asked for the fare, one man got out of the car, opened the driver's door and assaulted him before taking the satellite navigation system and charger lead from the vehicle.

Leaving in the direction of Northwood Road, chocolate milkshake was thrown over the car's windscreen and one of the men shouted racial abuse at the driver, who was left with swelling and bruising to his eye.

The incident took place at 2.20am on Wednesday, October 15.

Detectives are looking for two white men aged between 20 and 25, both of medium build and about 5ft 7ins tall.

The man who assaulted the driver has short, greying hair and wore a cream-coloured jumper with a half zip and high collar, brown jeans and white trainers.

The other man has short brown hair, a slim face and was wearing a brown buttoned shirt, blue jeans and smart, black shoes.

Detective Constable Toby Wilson, said: 'There would not have been many people around at this time of the day, but it's likely that someone may have been disturbed by the sound of shouting.'

Bruce Hall, manager of AquaCars in Portsmouth, is concerned that incidents of this kind have been increasing over the past few months. He said: 'I'm not sure whether the racial side of things is as common, but we have definitely had more runners recently.'

Anyone with information should call Det Con Wilson at Fratton CID on 0845 045 45 45.