Fake £50 warning in the Hull area

Retailers across Hull and the East Riding are being urged to be on their guard after at least 10 shopkeepers were conned into accepting forged £50 notes.

A number of convenience stores, cafes and garden centres in Bridlington, Hornsea, Flamborough, Driffield, Beverley, Stamford Bridge and Preston have been targeted since Friday, April 1.

Humberside Police said today that in each case, young boys with Irish accents had gone in and bought items totalling less than £10 before leaving with their change. It has later been realised the £50 note is a fake.

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The youths are described as white, aged between 10 and 12-years-old, of slim build with short mousey or light brown hair.

PC Martin Pepper, who is leading the investigation, said: “Banknotes which are printed for the UK have a wealth of hidden security features. Run your fingernail across the number fifty and you’ll feel how bumpy the surface is. The tactile intaglio print deposits the ink in recesses in the paper surface also giving the banknote its crisp, shiny quality.

“When a counterfeit note reaches a bank, the forged note is taken out of circulation, often leaving the shopkeeper out of pocket. We want to educate as many companies and businesses as possible to prevent them being at a loss in the future.”