Man accused of falsely soliciting 'petrol money'

Hastings police have arrested a man for allegedly soliciting money from people under the pretext that his daughter has just died and he needs money for petrol.

Senior Sergeant Ross Smith of Hastings police said a number of residents had complained of a man knocking on their door asking to use their phone because his young daughter had just died and he needed to get to an out-of-town address.

He then asked for money to pay for petrol.

Mr Smith said police would like to hear from anyone who had a man knock on their door asking for cash in the last two weeks.

- NZPA