Vic cabbie slashed as knife held to throat

A taxi driver in Melbourne was forced to grab the blade of a knife, cutting his hands, as a man attempted to rob him.

The driver picked up the passenger in Essendon after 9pm on Thursday evening, only to have the man hold a knife to his throat and demand money.

A struggle ensued, with the victim grabbing the blade and receiving moderate injuries, before the offender ran.

News footage shows the man's taxi splattered with blood.

The driver was taken to hospital while his taxi remains parked in Essendon.

Police believe his attacker was involved in another robbery in a nearby suburb just a few hours earlier.

The other driver, Muhammed Raza, told reporters on Friday he thought the man was getting his money out before he produced the large knife.

"He asked 'give me everything you have'," he said.

Detective Senior Constable Stacey Dwyer said the offending was very brazen and violent considering it was targeted at people just doing their jobs.

Police have released CCTV images of the man who is shown wearing a cap, sunglasses and a hoodie with the number 23 on it.

The attacker remains on the run.