Bromley police have issued a warning after a woman scammed six pensioners on their own doorsteps in West Wickham and Beckenham this week.

A woman has called at elderly victims' homes unexpectedly in the early hours of the morning and asked for money to visit a seriously ill relative in hospital.

The suspect, who is described as black and in her 20s, claimed she needed to borrow the money to pay for a taxi to the hospital for her family.

The victims, aged between 60 and 89, doubted her story but handed over around £80 each after the woman said she would return and pay them back.

Detective Inspector Linda Leicester of Bromley police CID said: “This woman is preying on the goodwill of her victims to con them out of money, when they think she is in real need. Her crimes are despicable."

Anyone with information should call Bromley police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.