Police in the East Midlands have issued an urgent public warning following a concerning rise in counterfeit cash incidents, with households and businesses being urged to thoroughly check their banknotes.
Multiple Counterfeit Reports in Newark Area
Nottinghamshire Police have confirmed three separate reports of fake banknotes being circulated in the Newark area in recent days. The incidents have prompted a formal alert from local authorities, who are advising residents to exercise particular caution when handling cash transactions.
How the Counterfeit Notes Are Being Used
The fraudulent activity has primarily involved fake £20 and £10 notes being used to pay for takeaways and items purchased through social media platforms. According to police statements, the counterfeit notes have been presented during transactions at local food establishments and among residents selling goods on Facebook Marketplace.
Identifying the Fake Currency
Police have revealed specific details about the counterfeit notes currently in circulation. The fraudulent banknotes feature holograms that have been manually stuck onto the paper and can be easily peeled off, unlike genuine polymer notes where security features are integrated during manufacturing.
Additionally, the stickers used to create these fake holograms make the notes noticeably thicker than legitimate currency. This physical difference provides an important tactile clue for those handling the notes.
Police Advice for Cash Transactions
Notts Alerts, the official police notification service, has issued specific guidance for residents engaging in cash transactions:
- Always take a moment to check any notes received during buying or selling activities
- Pay particular attention to higher-value denominations
- Examine the watermark and hologram carefully
- Feel for the characteristic raised print present on genuine notes
- Tilt the note to observe colour-changing security features
- Use a light source to verify the embedded security thread
The police emphasise that if anything feels suspicious about a banknote, residents should refuse to accept it and report the incident immediately.
Important Update for Businesses
Authorities have issued a crucial warning for local businesses regarding detection methods. Traditional counterfeit detector pens, previously recommended for identifying fake notes, are no longer effective against counterfeit polymer notes. Businesses need to employ multiple verification methods rather than relying solely on detection pens.
What to Do with Suspect Notes
If you suspect you have received counterfeit currency, both police and banking authorities provide clear guidance:
- Do not attempt to pass the note on to others
- Take the suspect note to your nearest police station
- Police will complete an NCO-1 form and provide you with a receipt and incident number
- The Bank of England confirms that counterfeit notes are worthless and cannot be reimbursed
- All suspect notes are sent to the National Crime Agency for investigation
The Bank of England stresses that while counterfeit banknotes remain relatively rare, they hold no value and proper reporting procedures must be followed when they are encountered.
This warning comes as part of ongoing efforts by Nottinghamshire Police to combat financial crime and protect local residents and businesses from fraudulent activities in the East Midlands region.
