At 12.42pm on Friday 4 March police received information via Tonbridge’s Shop Safe scheme that a person had tried to use a £20 note at a shop in the High Street that staff thought might be counterfeit.

Officers arrested a man on suspicion of fraud offences. Following the arrest a search was carried out and a number of £20 notes, believed to be counterfeit currency, were confiscated.

PC Nick Finnis, of the Tonbridge neighbourhood policing team, said: ‘Forged notes are not a big problem in the town but we would always encourage retailers to be vigilant and report any suspicions to police immediately.

Things shop workers can do are:

·         Check the paper - bank notes are printed on special paper that gives them a unique feel. You should be able to feel raised print on some parts of the note.

·         Check the metallic thread appears as a continuous dark line.

·         Check the watermark shows an image of the Queen’s portrait.

·         Check the hologram, if you tilt the note the image should move between a picture and the numerical value of the note.’

A 33 year-old man from Sittingbourne has been charged in connection with the incident and been bailed to appear at court on 21 March.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 01732 379217 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Callers to Crimestoppers do not have to leave their name.

Information can also be emailed to appeals.westkent@kent.pnn.police.uk