KIND-HEARTED members of the public have been conned into handing over money to a woman with a sob story about needing cash to get home.

Wiltshire Police has issued a warning after receiving two reports of a woman approaching people and asking them for money.

One victim handed over £30 thinking he was helping a woman in distress when he was approached at about 9:30 pm on June 3 in Fleming Way.

Then on Thursday in the Station Road car park a woman from Bristol was scammed out of £60 after the trickster told her she had lost her keys and purse and needed to get to her grandmother’s house in Reading. Both victims found out later that they had been scammed.

PC Paul Bezzzant said: "This woman is exploiting the kindness of members of the community by posing as someone who genuinely needs help, her story often sounds plausible making the victims want to assist.

“We have had reports before about incidents like this and want the public to be mindful that there is a scam of this nature and to be wary of handing over any money in the street.”

The woman is described as white, approximately 5ft 6ins of medium build. She has shoulder length brown hair and was aged in her thirties.

He asked anyone with information to contact him on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.