Parts of New Addington have become no-go areas for Tesco's delivery services after drivers were threatened and intimidated.

The supermarket chain is boycotting parts of the Fieldway estate for the forseeable future because it says its drivers were harassed and verbally abused as they dropped off shopping orders.

Tesco has apologised to customers who regularly use its internet shopping service but said the safety of its staff remains of paramount importance.

It also said it was refusing to go to certain parts of New Addington after experiencing problems with credit card fraud.

Jan Mattocks, who lives in Foxcombe, on the Fieldway estate, was shocked to receive a letter last week informing her that her home shopping account had been closed.

She relied on Tesco's delivery service as she does not have a car and cannot buy any of the dietary products she needs locally.

Now she faces a trip by bus to either Purley or Elmers End as well as paying for a taxi home with her shopping.

"I don't have a car and husband is busy working all hours so we rely on home shopping, especially as Tesco stocks the biggest range of food stuff that we need.

"No one had said anything to us whatsoever. We would have been quite happy to have taken a different delivery slot.

She added: "We have lived in Foxcombe for the last nine and a half years and have never faced a threat of assault."

Tesco confirmed that it had stopped deliveries to parts of New Addington but said it would continue to review the situation.

Croydon police said it treated allegations and reports of crime and harassment seriously and would investigate.

A new safer streets team, made up of police and community safety officers, has been launched to tackle antisocial behaviour in the area. Call 020 8649 1492.