A fraudster is thought to be conning people in south Lambeth by pretending to flee from an abusive boyfriend.

Residents said the woman will approach people at night with different stories about how she desperately needs money to escape the area - often shouting and screaming if they offer to wait with her or call the police instead.

She was last seen in the area in January, and there have been at least five sightings over the past 12 months.

The woman is white, in her late 20s with dark hair. One man said he had seen the “well spoken and believable” woman near West Norwood station three times - and she had run off when challenged about her stories.

Teacher Tessa Hall said she was approached by the woman in Victoria Crescent, Crystal Palace last year.

The 24-year-old said: “She came running up to me - she was crying and talking very fast.”

The beggar said her boyfriend had threatened to kill her, and Miss Hall offered money so she could get a train to her mother’s house.