A CON artist has been knocking on doors pretending to be a neighbour in desperate need of money to get to hospital urgently.

Police are warning people to be aware of the scam after the Guardian received complaints from residents in Etloe Road, off Church Road, Leyton, last week.

The woman, described as black and around 25 to 30, knocked on several doors down the street at 4am last Thursday pleading for cash to get to hospital.

Resident Claire Davis, 21, said it had happened a couple of times in the road and her mum had been conned in to giving a few pounds to help the trickster.

She said: "I want to warn people not to give them money because they are obviously taking the mick.

"I feel really annoyed, especially because it was four in the morning and she woke up a lot of people in the street.

"My mum did give money last time, to try and help out what she thought was a neighbour, but they are lying. It wasn't the same person this time but I just want people to be aware that it's going on."

Police said they had not received any official reports of people in the area carrying out this kind of scam.

However Sgt Eliza Horne said: "If a stranger knocks on your door in tears requesting money to get to hospital, it may be a trick to deceive you.

"Deception is a form of theft, which could carry a penalty of imprisonment.

"Police advice is that you should not hand over any cash at such requests and that you should contact your local police station. Deception is a crime don't be a victim of it."

Police issue warning over doorstep con woman A CON artist has been knocking on doors pretending to be a neighbour in desperate need of money to get to hospital urgently.

Police are warning people to be aware of the scam after the Guardian received complaints from residents in Etloe Road, off Church Road, Leyton, last week.

The woman, described as black and around 25 to 30, knocked on several doors down the street at 4am last Thursday pleading for cash to get to hospital.

Resident Claire Davis, 21, said her mum had been conned in to giving a few pounds to help the trickster.

She said: "I want to warn people not to give any money because she is obviously taking the mick.

"I feel really annoyed, especially because it was four in the morning and she woke up a lot of people in the street.

"My mum did give some money, to try and help out what she thought was a neighbour, but she was lying. I just want people to be aware that it's going on."

Police said they had not received any official reports of people in the area carrying out this kind of scam.

However Sgt Eliza Horne said: "If a stranger knocks on your door in tears requesting money to get to hospital, it may be a trick to deceive you.

"Deception is a form of theft, which could carry a penalty of imprisonment.

"Police advice is that you should not hand over any cash at such requests and that you should contact your local police station. Deception is a crime don't be a victim of it."