Residents are being warned not to be duped into handing over cash by tricksters pretending to be calling from Richmond Council.

The council issued an alert after recieving reports individuals were calling door-to-door in Kew today claiming to be representatives from the Community Safety Partnership and asking for money.

The authority said the visits had not been santioned and the police are investigating.

Anyone contacted by the conmen should report it to their local Safer Neighbourhood Police Team.

For contact details go to met.police.uk.