Leeds shoppers urged to watch for fake cash this Christmas

Police are warning people in Leeds to be vigilant after a number of reports of forged Scottish banknotes being used in the city.

Over the last few weeks, officers have received several calls reporting counterfeit £20 notes being used at various local businesses.

These include incidents where the notes have been used in the purchase of second-hand cars and also for smaller items in shops, restaurants and other businesses. On some occasions businesses have been asked to change the notes for English ones.

Officers from neighbourhood policing teams are making local businesses aware of the issue and the incidents reported are being investigated to identify those responsible.

Sergeant Fiona Van Kampen, of Leeds District Contact Management Unit, said: “Although the use of counterfeit currency is thankfully still relatively rare, we have recently had a number of reports of fake Scottish banknotes being used in Leeds which suggests there has been an increase.

“While we don’t want people to be unduly alarmed, we would like businesses particularly to be vigilant and take all the normal precautions to check that any notes used for transactions are genuine."

Christmas crackdown

In the lead up to Christmas, Crimestoppers is joining an appeal to the public for information on those making, buying or selling counterfeit banknotes.

In the first half of 2017, over 237,000 worthless counterfeit banknotes with a notional value of over £4.88 million were removed from the UK’s streets.

While less than 0.05% of notes in circulation are counterfeit, many retailers, businesses, schools, charities and the elderly have been conned out of money using fake notes.

The charity say Christmas is a time when more cash changes hands, especially £20 and £50 notes, and fraudsters take advantage of the festive season by targeting busy shops with temporary staff.

Incidents include scammers tricking innocent members of the public into swapping fake £20 notes for two genuine £10 notes, and businesses being left out of pocket if they take a counterfeit note.

Counterfeit notes are also known to be linked to serious and organised criminal gangs.

Local businesses in Leeds have expressed their concerns and frustrations with those who target independent shops. Katie and May, Sebby's Deli, Skin Deep and Floral Expression in Headingley have joined the calls for the public to be extra vigilant.

Alison is owner of Floral Expression, and told Radio Aire: "It's extremely frustrating, we're so passionate about what we do - but then somebody comes in that's deliberately targeting you to con you. What they'll do is come in with a fake £50 or £20 note and only purchase £2.50's worth of notes."

"It's sad. They obviously haven't worked hard themselves and they just want to reap off other people who are working very hard."