Counterfeit cash circulating in Looe prompts police warning

Someone pays in cash, you take the note, and it goes straight into the till or your purse without a second look. Most of the time that is fine. But officers in Looe say fake money is doing the rounds in the town, and the moment to spot it is when it first lands in your hand.

Looe Police say they have received reports of counterfeit currency circulating around the Looe area. The neighbourhood team is reminding residents and businesses to stay vigilant, especially when taking cash.

Four checks before you accept a note

The officers are asking people to take a moment to check any banknote they are handed:

• Texture. Genuine notes have a distinctive feel.
• Holograms. Tilt the note and check the holographic images change as they should.
• Print quality. Look for clear, sharp printing rather than blurred or poor quality detail.
• UV indicators. All genuine notes should show the denomination under UV light.

None of it takes long, and it matters most in a busy shop or at a market stall, where notes change hands quickly and nobody wants to hold up the queue.

If you think you have been given a fake

The advice from the police is simple. Do not try to pass the note on. Do not confront anyone you suspect may be using counterfeit currency. Report any suspicious activity instead.

How to report it

Anyone with information about counterfeit currency, or who believes they have received a counterfeit note, is asked to report it to Devon and Cornwall Police.

The officers have not said how many fake notes have turned up so far, or which denominations are involved.