Police have issued a warning about a scam targeting vulnerable people which threatens them with arrest.

It has been reported by several people in Harrow and officers in the borough have urged residents to be vigilant and spread the message.

Lee O’Brien, the police community support officer for Pinner, explained that the scam uses a pre-recorded message to try and obtain the victims’ details.

He said the caller leaves a message stating that an arrest warrant has been issued and the recipient will be prosecuted unless they call back.

Then, claiming to be from HMRC, they ask the victim for details including the number they received the message on, their name and their national insurance number.

“This is a scam. Please do not phone the number back,” Mr O’Brien wrote in an email to community groups in his area.

“No government agency would ever use a pre-recorded message for official matters like this.

“Please pass this message to anyone you know, especially elderly relatives, neighbours and friends.”

Police said the telephone numbers used as part of the scam are 020 3287 4777 or 020 3239 6767.