Police issue warning of counterfeit £50 notes in circulation

Police have issued a warning to the public and retailers after reports of counterfeit Bank of Ireland £50 notes being circulated.

The forged notes are replicated copies of the current note, with a purple design and an image of the Old Bushmills whiskey distillery on the back.

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.”

Police can be contacted by calling 101.