Police warn traders about counterfeit bank notes

Retailers should check each bank note and ensure that their staff know how to spot counterfeit notes.

All retailers, including charity shops, should be particularly wary of customers tendering large denomination banknotes when purchasing low cost items.

Police say that this type of crime can be prevented, but they say that retailers should not rely solely upon special equipment or one single feature to identify a genuine banknote. Features on the notes should be checked. If there is any doubt comparing a suspect note with another will help to the authenticity of a note.

A counterfeit bank note should not be returned to the person passing it.

There are a number of ways of telling if a bank 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.

Anyone who has any information regarding the production or distribution of counterfeit banknotes is asked to contact the police at Coleraine. The telephone number to ring is 0845 600 8000