An "epidemic" of fake £20 bank notes is sweeping Nottinghamshire - and Ikea in Giltbrook has become a popular target.
On March 28 Ikea called police with reports of two men trying to use fake notes at the till. The men had handed over £240 cash and £120 of it was with fake £20 notes. Both men were arrested. The store called police again last Monday reporting anothe
r customer trying to use counterfeit notes.
Two customers tried to pay with fake notes in Woolworths in Eastwood on April 20. When the cashier challenged them about it, they ran off.
Insp John Lees at Eastwood police station said it has become an epidemic in the county, effecting some areas worse than others. He said a couple of months ago police found £2,000 worth of fake £20 notes during a raid in West Bridgeford.
Insp Lees said when officers receive a call they will arrive at the store and search the customer. They will determine whether the customer has knowingly handed over the counterfeit notes depending on how many they have on them.
He said: "Also if someone is trying to pay for a Mars Bar with a £20 note and they're found to have lots of change on them then that's also suspicious and we will arrest them.
"There are some good fake notes out there so stores and pubs need to be using ultra violet light and pens. If staff are in any doubt whatsoever, don't take it and call the police because it is an epidemic at the moment."
Once a customer has handed a counterfeit note over, it is against the law for the cashier to give it back.
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