Two beggars are preying on elderly and infirm people outside a hospital.

Now police are investigating the unscrupulous couple who prey on the “elderly and vulnerable” and target visitors and patients during visiting hours.

A Royal Sussex County Hospital source told The Argus that the couple, a smartly dressed woman and a scruffier man, were outside the front entrance nearly every day.

He said the pair spun lies about broken down cars to trick people into handing over money.

A hospital source said: “This couple beg outside the hospital every day.

“The lady is always well dressed and the gentleman is very casually dressed.

“They prey on unsuspecting people using different stories to get money – and they get plenty.

“She approaches people using different stories.

“She says ‘I’ve broken down and need to get home’ or ‘I’ve got a puncture and live in Worthing’.

“They don’t care who their target is.

"Often it’s old and vulnerable people.

“The hospital is always very quick and professional to react.

“It is doing its best but is limited [in what it can do].”

A Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals spokeswoman said: “When we receive reports of individuals begging on the hospital premises, our security team always intervene promptly.

“When this is occurring on the public streets outside and around the hospital we cannot intervene and our only option is to report this to the police, which we always do.”

A Sussex Police spokeswoman added: “We are aware of these two people and are investigating their activities.

“We regularly hold a number of operations across the city to target individuals who beg and anyone found committing this offence is liable to arrest and prosecution.

“If anyone sees people begging or is approached by beggars, we ask them to contact us via 101.”