A warning that criminals are using perfume to knock out victims before attacking them is fake, police have said.

A post, shared across social media, claims to be issued by police and warns the public about criminals asking people to smell perfume on a piece of paper.

It claims the paper is laced with drugs that will knock people out before they are kidnapped, robbed or “worse”.

Police have said that the post, which claims the crime is being carried out across the UK, is fake and no such warning has been issued.

Forces, including Havering, took to social media this morning to alleviate any concerns the public may have.