POLICE say they have had reports during the lockdown of people being robbed while going to buy items they have seen sold on social media.

Officers are urging people to be vigilant and to take care over meeting someone they do not know.

Incidents have included physical violence being used to steal the goods and victims being robbed at cash machines.

In a statement on the GMP Leigh, Atherton & Hindley Facebook page, police said: "During lockdown there have been a number of incidents of persons advertising the sale of goods on social media being robbed at the point of potential sale.

"This can involve the use of physical violence to steal goods or robbing victims who have agreed to meet at a cash machine in order to purchase goods. There have also been reports of cars being stolen during test drives.

"Take care when meeting someone you do not know.

"Consider taking a friend or meeting in a busy location."