Warning after crooks try to use 'Monopoly money' at town chippy

Arina Dubose, who runs Knights of Pontefract, says staff were able to spot that the cash was counterfeit almost immediately and challenged the customers, who left quickly.

CCTV footage from the shop on Horsefair has since been passed to police, as have two of the notes. The remaining note was taken back by the customer.

She said: "One of them acted like he was not aware and another became quite aggressive.

"One of the notes was like Monopoly money but looked quite genuine, but it just didn't feel right.

"I suppose if there's a rush on, it could have seemed quite genuine.

"I'm not sure why we have been targeted, maybe because there are not many other places open at the moment."

Like all food outlets, the restaurant is only open for takeaway and at reduced hours.

Arina said that on each occasion the suspects, who were young males, tried to use the notes to buy low-cost sundry items, such as a single can of fizzy drink.

She said that staff are now aware of such potentially-suspicious behaviour and have been briefed on spotting the fake notes in future.

She added: "We have the marker pens to check if the notes are real, but they have just been sitting there.

"The staff now recognise the importance of it, especially if there's a rush on, there's a lot of pressure but it needs to be checked with a supervisor."

The new polymer £20 notes were introduced a year ago, however, old paper £20 notes remain legal tender with no date set for when they will be taken out of circulation.