250 calls a week about scams on Gumtree

Police receive 250 crime and fraud allegations a week connected to the online ‘small ads’ service Gumtree.

After a young mother tried to sell her four-month-old baby on the website, it has now emerged that criminals are using Gumtree to target consumers.

Many people turned to the site to find bargain Christmas presents and January is expected to see a surge in people using it to sell unwanted gifts.