Warning to look out for fake £50 bank notes in Edinburgh

Police ask anyone who spots a crude forgery to come forward

Officers are warning the public

SHOPPERS and storekeepers are being warned to be on their guard after reports of fake £50 notes in circulation.

Police officers have received tip-offs of a batch of counterfeit Bank of Ireland currency.

The crude copies are purple with an image of the Old Bushmill distillery on the back.

Police officers have received tip-offsof a batch of counterfeit Bank of Ireland currency.

Detective Inspector Ian Whittle, of Police Scotland’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “You should carefully check the features on these notes.

"The forgeries are readily identifiable as they do not have any watermark or foil hologram. They are just a plain copy the note and they do not have a security thread either.

“If you suspect someone is trying to pay for something with a counterfeit note, my advice is to decline it and contact the police.”

Anyone with information about who are using these notes should contact Police Scotland on 101 or information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.