Police are urging traders and shoppers to stay vigilant after a number of counterfeit bank notes were used across North Worcestershire. 

West Mercia Police put out an alert on the Neighbourhood Matters website warning residents in areas including Kidderminster, Redditch and Bromsgrove about counterfeit £50 Royal Bank of Scotland notes. 

Officers said the offenders have been making small value purchases at stores, paying with forged notes and then receiving legitimate change in return. 

An investigation is now underway with officers working to identify the source of the fraudulent cash. 

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "Counterfeit £50 Royal Bank of Scotland notes have been used in our area. The offenders have made small value purchases at stores, paying with the forged notes and then receiving legitimate change in return.

"Officers are investigating and will be working to identify the source of the fraudulent cash. We would urge traders and shoppers to be vigilant and where possible traders should ultraviolet light scanners to check the authenticity of notes."

Police have also issued advice on what to do if residents receive counterfeit money. 

They said if the notes have been passed and the suspect is not present then it should be reported online at 

 What to do if you receive counterfeit currency https://orlo.uk/hUI3I or by calling 101.

If the suspect is present at the location or still nearby consideration should be given to calling 999.

Counterfeit notes should be retained and provided to the police as evidence, ideally inside a plastic wallet or paper envelope to preserve potential fingerprints.

If there is CCTV footage of the suspect available, this should be downloaded and provided to the police together with the counterfeit currency.