REPORTS of a teenage girl trying to swindle householders by claiming her car has run out of petrol are on the rise.

Three residents of Areley Kings said a girl, aged about 17 or 18, had turned up on their doorsteps, asking for cash for petrol, saying she had a young child in her car.

In some cases, she was carrying a red petrol can and asked for £1 to buy fuel.

One householder said the girl appeared so distressed she gave her £5.

The incidents, which happened over a period of a few days early last week, were the latest in a series of similar ones in Kidderminster and Stourport since the turn of the year.

The girl was white, with shoulder-length or long hair and wearing a tracksuit top.

A police spokesman said: "While the sums obtained by this girl are small, residents need to be aware it is a money-making scam."

Witnesses can contact police on 08457 444888.