A restaurant worker was assaulted after she confronted two women paying for a meal with a suspicious banknote.

Police are urging businesses to remain vigilant after two women ordered a meal at a restaurant in Hunter Avenue, Willesborough and paid for it with a £50 Bank of England note.

The member of staff became suspicious and when she approached one of the women to question her, she was assaulted.

It happened between 7.25pm and 7.40pm on Wednesday, May 1.

Earlier that day, between 6.30pm and 6.45pm, police received reports of customers paying for goods with fake £50 notes at a restaurant in the high street.

The bank notes were believed to be genuine at the time, but subsequent checks revealed they were not.

Sergeant Gavin Hart of Ashford Community Safety Unit said: "Shopkeepers are advised to check the feel of the paper, the raised print, metallic strip and watermark. Always use a UV light to check for authenticity if one is available.

"If anyone suspects they have picked up a fake note they should not allow it to go back into circulation and any incidents should be reported immediately to Kent Police by calling 101."

Anyone with information regarding the reports can call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting 01-1691 for the high street incident or 01-1707 for the Willesborough incident.

Click here for details on how to check banknotes.

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