THREE people have been arrested by police investigating the use of counterfeit £20 notes in a Bromsgrove fast food restaurant.

On Thursday, (August 30), police conducted a number of warrants, searching three homes in the Charford, Catshill and Birmingham Road areas of Bromsgrove, as well as one in Wychbold.

Two women and a male were arrested for a number of offences including fraud and possession of counterfeit currency, as well as possession of drugs and handling stolen goods.

They have all been granted bail pending further enquiries for dates in October.

Staff from Bromsgrove’s KFC branch in Charford discovered the 16 counterfeit £20 notes when they were cashing up from the weekend of August 17 to 18.

Sergeant Richard Field of West Mercia Police said: “After the original report of counterfeit notes, we received further reports that counterfeit £20 notes were in circulation in Bromsgrove and surrounding areas.

“This has involved a number of victims being unaware that they had counterfeit currency who ended up out of pocket.

“As part of this operation, police are following a number of positive leads and have worked with a number of stores to prevent the use of counterfeit currency in the Bromsgrove area.

“We have made a number of arrests and searched several homes and will continue to act on any information to stop the use of counterfeit currency.”

Police are reminding Bromsgrove traders to remain vigilant to the use of forged notes, using devices such as ultraviolet light scanners to ensure the notes are authentic.

Anyone who can help with the current investigation is asked to call police on non-emergency number 101, quoting incident 719-s-170813, or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.