Fake £10s and £20s passed in pubs and clubs

OLDHAM’S pubs and clubs have been warned to watch out for forged bank notes.

Experts say the fake £10 and £20 notes are hard to detect.

However, the giveaway is that bogus £10 notes all carry the same number — HA56889471 — and have a waxy feel. Another clue is the notes do not have raised text where it says ‘Bank of England’ at the top of the note. A few of the notes have been found in gaming machines and may not have been detected by “note readers”.

Peter Lee, who oversees Oldham’s Pub Watch schemes, said: “We have had reports of forged notes being passed around the pubs and clubs across Oldham and we are urging licensees and retailers to be on their guard.

“The notes do look authentic, although they feel waxy to the touch. It is often hard to study bank notes, particularly if they are passed in darkened clubs or some bars.

“Businesses can be left severely out of pocket if they accept this forged currency and we do not want to allow people to profit from using counterfeit cash.

“ I would ask bar staff and managers take a second or so to check the cash is authentic and if you suspect someone is trying to use forged cash, call us immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.