Bank fraudsters are stealing cash from pensioners with the help of bogus couriers after telling them stories about suspicious activity on their accounts, police have warned.

They call the elderly on the phone posing as police officers or bank workers, then trick the elderly into giving their bank cards and pin numbers.

The thieves dispatch bogus couriers and taxi drivers who pick up the cards and empty their bank accounts.

The Met police said nearly five people had fallen for the scam each day on average in the capital last year.

Barking and Dagenham Det Chief Insp Phil Howarth said: “These criminals prey on the most vulnerable members of our community who are least likely to recover from the experience.

“Please spread the word and help us to prevent local residents from falling victim to this crime.”