Police have issued a warning after a spate of distraction burglaries targeting the vulnerable.

There were four reports in the past fortnight of criminals posing as people in authority and then stealing purses and jewelry.

In cited cases across the borough, criminals are posing as police officers investigating a burglary or water company officials called to test taps in order to con their way into the victim's home.

A spokeswoman for Redbridge police said: “Strangers at the door with any story should be treated with a degree of caution.

“We are advising everyone to use the policy of ‘no appointment, no entry’, and when in doubt call 999.”