More than 40 reports of incidents involving suspected counterfeit notes across the county
Officers are issuing CCTV images of two people they would like to speak to as they investigate an assault and shoplifting at a Ferndown supermarket.
At around 5.50pm on Friday 22 March 2019 a man attempted to pay for items at Sainsbury’s in Ringwood Road with a £50 Bank of England note. The member of staff checked it and discovered it was counterfeit, at which point the customer attempted to snatch the note back off him.
In the struggle the man punched the member of staff to the face before leaving the store.
The victim did not sustain any serious injuries as a result of the assault.
On reviewing CCTV of the incident officers also discovered that a woman who had entered the store with the male suspect had taken a bottle of beer and left without paying.
Police Community Support Investigator Kate Hann, of Dorset Police, said: “We are carrying out enquiries into this incident and I am issuing CCTV images of a man and woman who we would like to speak to.
“I would urge anyone who knows who they are to contact police.”
Officers are also linking the incident to a report from staff at the Marks and Spencer store in Ringwood Road in Ferndown made on Friday 22 March 2019. It was reported that over the previous two days a man had paid for a sandwich on three occasions using a £50 Bank of England note and it was subsequently discovered that the notes were counterfeit.
For more information on how to identify counterfeit notes visit www.bankofengland.co.uk for Bank of England notes.
It should be noted that only a small percentage of the notes in circulation are counterfeit.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email [email protected] or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190043979. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
