A TEAM of crooks are stealing Victorian doors worth hundreds of pounds from the front of people's houses.

The two men involved in the scam are touring Waltham Forest in a red van. They approach people at their front doors, tell them there is a problem with it, such as a gap causing a leak which needs to be repaired, and take the door off.

Then, the crafty double act tell the house owner they will return after a short while with the fixed door, or another to replace it, but leave and are never seen again.

So far three such cases have been reported to Waltham Forest police, two doors have been stolen, and another attempted burglary has taken place. However, the duo is still at large.

A police spokesman said: "These doors are worth lots of money, most are worth about £400 to £500, but one in Leyton which was stolen was worth around £1,000.

"These people are making a nice little business for themselves.

"They are taking away the doors and then probably selling them on to people for a rich profit.

"The doors are very popular around here as many of the houses are Victorian. These people need to be stopped."

The men are both white and drive around in a red van but no more detailed descriptions have been provided.

People who have fallen victim to the scam, those who have been targeted, or anyone with any further information on the tricksters should immediately contact the Leyton police station on 8529 8666.