Police reminder on dud tenners

POLICE in Foyle have issued a warning to the public and business owners following reports of fake £10 and £20 notes being passed in Londonderry in recent weeks.

Last week SDLP Waterside Councillor Gerard Diver warned people in Londonderry to be on the outlook for counterfeit notes after he received a dud £10 banknote in his change at the weekend.

Now police in Londonderry are reminding business owners to take all necessary steps to ensure staff members know how to spot a counterfeit note.

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There are a number of ways of telling if a currency note is genuine: be wary of notes that look or feel different and or that are faded; check the quality of printing - the colours should be clear and the print on the banknote should be distinct and well defined with sharp fine lines, not blurred or soft edges; the banknote should be crisp and slightly rough in the heavily printed areas. It should not be limp, waxy or shiny; you should also always check for the watermark, which should not be apparent until the note is held up to the light; genuine notes have a thread embedded in the paper and an individual serial number.

Those who handle cash transactions should not rely solely upon special equipment or one single feature to identify a genuine banknote but should check all the features.

If in doubt, compare a suspect note to one that is known to be genuine as this can often help to determine the authenticity of a note. A counterfeit bank note should not be returned to the person passing it.

It is a criminal offence to try to pass or keep a banknote that you either know or suspect to be counterfeit. If you inadvertently receive a note that you believe to be counterfeit, you should take it to the nearest police station.

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Anyone who has any information regarding the production or distribution of counterfeit banknotes, can contact police by calling 0845 600 8000 or alternatively contact the ‘Crimestoppers’ charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Last week Mr Diver said: “I have spoken to the police about this and they have told me that there is an ongoing low-level problem with counterfeit notes here in Derry. However, they have also said there are spikes in that activity as well.

“The important issue is to raise awareness of the note and the denomination – which is an Ulster Bank £10 note.”

He advised businesses and people throughout the city to ensure that they check the notes they receive.

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“I realise that staff and people in general are often busy and that it is not always easy to take the time to check banknotes properly, however those involved in this type of crime often rely on this very fact.

“I would urge anyone in possession of a banknote they believe to be counterfeit to retain it and pass it on to the police as soon as possible,” he said.