SHOPS and businesses in Dunbar have been warned to be on the lookout for fake bank notes.

Reports of attempts to use counterfeit notes in the town were mentioned at a public meeting last Monday evening.

Constable Gavin Ross, who chairs the Dunbar and East Linton Community and Police Partnership (CAPP) meetings, told members he had received a call from a business in the town about concerns over a £50 note.

The officer said they had gone to the shop but the person left without spending the Bank of Ulster note.

A second report saw someone trying to use a £20 note – again claiming to be a Bank of Ulster note – at a Co-op store on the town’s High Street.

It is thought at least five businesses in the town have been targeted.

PC Ross added: “Apparently there has been quite a lot of it in the wider area.

“Musselburgh and Haddington have been hit.”

Cases have also been reported in the Borders, with businesses in Hawick, Jedburgh and Galashiels targeted.

PC Ross told members that the rarity of Bank of Ulster notes being used in East Lothian meant people were not always familiar with whether they were real or not.

He added: “They are often high-value Bank of Ulster notes and normally the person is spending a relatively small amount to get a large amount of legitimate change back.”