A CONMAN who has been swindling Waltham Forest drivers for several months was caught red-handed - but still managed to escape after police failed to show up.

His intended victim had him pinned to the ground for ten minutes outside Tesco, at the Baker's Arms, Leyton. However, police never arrived despite repeated calls, and the fraudster escaped.

The conman's scam is to throw oil over a car's radiator grille, tell the owner there is a leak and offer to fix it. He then pretends to remedy the problem before demanding up to £150.

Last Wednesday, October 31, at around 6.30pm, he picked a victim whom he had successfully tricked earlier this year.

The driver, a man in his 50s who wished to remain anonymous, was waiting at traffic lights in Leyton High Road and recognised the man instantly.

The driver stepped out of his car and kept the conman talking while his son called the police.

When the man tried to flee, they followed him over the road, caught him, and made further calls.

But after ten minutes the swindler wriggled free and ran off in the direction of the Beaumont Estate.

One of the victims told the Guardian: "It was pure coincidence that he picked our car.

"It could have been anyone. It's really frustrating that he gets away with it again. We had the guy in our grasp, but the police never came."

Days later police visited the victims' house to collect a bag containing oil and rags the conman had left at the scene. Police say the items will be examined forensically .

A police spokeswoman said: "It is always a matter of concern when we are physically unable to meet the request of a member of the public to attend an emergency call within the standard 12 minutes.

"At the time of this incident being reported to police, local officers were engaged on attending an extremely high volume of 999 calls owing to Halloween.

"A unit did attend the scene and searched the area but this search proved unsuccessful.

"We do regret that we were unable to assist the victim on this occasion."