Fake notes warning

BUSINESSES in Newton Stewart are on high alert after reports that fake £20 notes have been circulating in the town.

The team at the town’s banking hub raised the alarm on Tuesday after noticing multiple counterfeit notes over the past few weeks.

They warned that each of the fake notes resemble £20 Bank of England notes and said: “These have all been English £20 notes, both King and Queen notes. They stand out as the back of the note is a much darker purple, the front is faded in colour and they feel and sound different than genuine notes.

“If you are in any doubt about a note that you have, please bring it in and we can verify them through our machines.”

Now bakeries, butchers and cafes locally are all taking more precautions to make sure they aren’t caught out by one of the fraudulent notes.

Debbie Hamilton, owner of The Barbaguette on Victoria Street, yesterday said: “I think people chance their luck, because it’s that quiet they think they can catch us off guard, and they caught me off guard about six months ago.

“When I took the £20 note in my hand the day that it happened, I could feel that it didn’t feel right but it was too busy at that point do anything about it, I took it to the bank later on and it was fake.

“Looking back on it, I knew and I should’ve stopped myself at that point because it was obvious it was fake.

“But I’m much more alert to it now, and I check everything these days, it’s a shame that it’s come to that, and you can’t trust people.”

Police Scotland were contacted for comment.