We have been alerted by the Police and CCTV today that attempts are being made to use counterfeit £20 and £50 Scottish notes to purchase goods in the town centre (some incidents occurred on Friday, 4/8/23 also).

Persons using these notes will attempt to purchase low value items, usually under £5 in value, or will attempt to buy gift cards at a low value. Description of the offenders: three males shopping independently - one with a beard, wearing dark clothing and baseball cap, one in a grey tracksuit and, unfortunately, no description for the third.

The notes do have holograms and UV technology included in them however some of this is quite crude, and holograms can be scratched off, and the paper used is not normally cut straight and is cut by hand.

If retailers identify counterfeit currency, please retain the note and provide this to the Phil Wane, PCSO (Hinckley Beat Team) or to the BID to pass on, so the crime can be recorded and the note submitted for analysis. This also increases information about who is using these notes and where they are being used.

If retailers are on the BID Radio-Link system and identify these notes, please try and pass a detailed description of the suspects ASAP so the Police/CCTV can look to identify persons and linked vehicles. Alternatively, contact the BID with the information (info@hinckleybid.co.uk / Tel: 01455 698494).

Our Police Beat Team take this issue very seriously, as does the BID. Through Radio-Link and DISC, we are trying to ensure there are early warnings to businesses so they can protect themselves.

The serial numbers of the £20 notes recovered so far are:
PH372574
DT722185
RK423921

Scottish £50 note serial numbers are:
YB795536
DL927543