A PROFESSIONAL gang of conmen are believed to be preparing to flood Bolton with thousands of counterfeit £10 notes.

Detectives say the forged notes are not of particularly good quality but they will appear genuine in busy shops.

Stores and businesses throughout Bolton have been warned to be on their guard.

Police issued the warning after receiving information last night about the activities of the counterfeit gang.

Shop assistants are being urged to be on the lookout for people trying to exchange £10 notes for change.

Det Chief Insp Frank Raggett of Bolton CID said: "We believe the forged notes do not have a watermark. However, although the quality of them is a little suspect, we have been informed they do look genuine and could easily catch people unawares."

Police have been warned that the notes are being sold for a small percentage of their fake face value. The counterfeit gang has also apparently been told to avoid shops and garages which have ultra violet forged note detectors. Det Chief Insp Raggett added: "Our information is to expect large numbers of fake notes being distributed throughout the town. With that information in mind we would like business owners, and the public in general, to be very wary."

Anyone with information they feel can assist the police is asked to contact Bolton Central CID tel: 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers detectives on the free phone number 0800 555 111.

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