POLICE IN CO Down are currently investigating a number of incidents in the Newtownards area in which fake Bank of England £20 notes have been used in local shops.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are advising local business people, staff and the public to check notes carefully before accepting them and to report any suspicious incidents to police.

Today the PSNI issued the following guidelines to retailers on how to “deter criminals”:

• Display clear warning signs stating: – ‘COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY CHECKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT’;
• Ensure store staff are aware of how to examine notes;
• Have a policy for your staff to follow on discovery of a counterfeit note. This should include the retention of the note and contacting the police, with a description of the person passing the suspect banknote;
• Ensure there are good lighting conditions at cash points.

Genuine notes can be recognised by the following observations:

• Does the main printing feel raised?
• Can you see a bold and clear watermark when the note is held up to the light?
• Does the note feel crisp and not limp, waxy or shiny?
• Is the print clear, sharp and well defined?
• Are the colours clear and distinct? Compare the suspect note against a note which is known to be genuine;
• Is the security thread continuous when the note is held up to the light?

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