A controversial police escort service for people using cash points has proved too popular.

The Safer Neighbourhood Team in Wanstead and Snaresbrook offered to walk vulnerable members of the community home if they rang up.

Locals are now facing a wait of up to a week -  officers said they are "fully booked" and blamed the media for highlighting the service that some have labeled a "gimmick".

"Silly" -  crime for the area is "adverage"

Tory MP Ann Widdecombe called the scheme "silly" and Metropolitan Police Authority member Jenny Jones told the Evening Standard:

"I'm astonished that they think they have enough officers to do this.

"It seems to give out the message that it's not safe to walk the streets while carrying cash, which is nonsense as we all go out with money on us. I thought it was some kind of joke as it smacks of absurdity."

Met statistics show Wanstead and Snaresbrook have an average level of robberies compared with other areas of the capital. There was one business robbery and four personal robberies in March, the last month for which statistics were available.

A Metropolitan Police a spokesman said:

"There have been incidents in the area in which elderly people have been targeted after withdrawing cash."

The scheme however, seems too popular with locals.