Police warning over Market Drayton petrol con

Motorists are being warned about a suspected scam after a man was persuaded to hand over cash for petrol to strangers.

The incident happened on the A53 near Market Drayton at about 11am on Saturday when the motorist noticed a parked car in a lay-by with the occupant frantically trying to attract the attention of passing cars.

The good Samaritan provided £20 for petrol.

In a letter to police at Market Drayton, the motorist, who comes from Merseyside, said: "I pulled over to see if I could be of assistance and was confronted by a man who spoke virtually no English, claiming he had almost run out of petrol and was on his way to Liverpool to see his child in hospital.

"Against my better judgment but feeling there was a two per cent chance the story was true, I told him to follow me to the first petrol station and I put £20 of fuel into his car.

"At the petrol station, he handed me his phone where his 'brother' was on the other end and could speak some English.

"His brother asked me to give him £150 which he would return if I gave him my address. I said no and just put the petrol in the car."

The car was a maroon Vauxhall Cavalier and contained two other occupants.

Anybody with any information about the incident is asked to call 03003 333000.