Deb Hann
This week a counterfeit $50 note was presented at a local business. Where there is one note, there may be more.
Deb Hann – Senior Constable at the Cambridge Farmers’ Market. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The Reserve Bank website provides comprehensive information around key identifying features of legal tender. Some of the initial features to check are as follows: New Zealand bank notes have a clear hologram window which shows the outline of a kōkako, a map of New Zealand and a silver fern when tilted. Counterfeit notes we have previously seen have sellotaped or glued-in attempts at clear plastic inserts which do not show this hologram. The printing on the note itself should be crisp and clear and is water resistant. Counterfeit notes sometimes appear blurred, or ink will otherwise smudge. On legitimate notes, the small bird on the bottom front left corner will have a coloured bar which rolls up and down as you tilt the note back and forth in the light – this will not be present on a counterfeit note.
Please be sure to check notes as you receive payments in your business – $50 notes appear to be a favourite. If you believe a counterfeit note has been tendered in your business, minimise any handling (use gloves too if possible) and place it immediately in a paper envelope. While it is tempting to hand it around staff for all to see, this can compromise evidence. Let police know as soon as possible and preserve any CCTV evidence of the person who presented it. If the counterfeit note is detected at the time of presentation, call 111 while the person who presented it is still in store.
In the seven days prior to writing, Cambridge Police have dealt with the usual mix of incidents. We had seven burglaries, a stolen vehicle, three reports of theft from vehicles, dealt with eight family harm incidents, a police safety order breach, a serious assault, three fraud matters, drunk drivers, two bail breaches, three mental health incidents, trespass matters, three traffic crashes, shoplifting, lost and found property and other miscellaneous traffic offences.
A member of the public recently reported youth seen graffitiing at a local park. Their school was contacted, and police are also speaking with them with appropriate action being taken. On Friday and Saturday nights, two drunk drivers were detected at a checkpoint on Victoria street, with the result that one will face a charge in court for breath alcohol exceeding 400mcg alcohol/litre of breath. The second received an infringement for a lower level reading. Have a good week and stay safe.
