A NATIONAL independent crime-fighting charity is appealing to the public for information on those making, buying or selling counterfeit banknotes.

In the first half of 2017, more than 237,000 worthless counterfeit banknotes with a notional value of around £4.88 million were removed from the UK’s streets.

Crimestoppers wants members of the public to be vigilant ahead of Christmas, when cash, particularly £20 and £50 notes, changes hands more regularly, even though it is estimated that only one per cent of notes in circulation are counterfeit.

Counterfeit notes are also known to be linked to serious and organised criminal gangs,

Any information on those making, selling or buying counterfeit notes can be reported Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through our Anonymous Online Form at crimestoppers-uk.org/give-info.

Further information can be found on Crimestoppers’ web page at fakenotes.co.uk.