Suspects using fake notes in Fife could escape justice because police couldn’t be bothered to do their job, a business owner has claimed.
Laura Campbell, who runs La Vida ladies fashion boutique, said she was taken aback by the “lazy response” after being told police would visit her on Monday after making five separate calls on Friday.
The 101 calls were made over a two-hour period after a group of “unsavoury characters” initially entered her shop around 3pm and looked around before leaving quickly.
The boutique is situated within Fairleys Garden Centre in Dunfermline and Mrs Campbell reported the “suspicious” behaviour to police who “logged” the information.
About 20 minutes later it was discovered that two forged £20 notes had been tendered within the garden centre and Mrs Campbell called the police again.
Then, just as staff were cashing up for the day, the group appeared again which left Mrs Campbell feeling “vulnerable and threatened.”
She again called the police and was told they would come out and see her on Monday.
Mrs Campbell followed the car and called police once more to give details of where they were going — at which point she claims she was told: “We can’t respond”.
When she got back to the boutique she realised the alarm system had been disabled and called police yet again.
“That was five separate calls between 3-5pm and they couldn’t be bothered to come out,” she said.
“They said they would have somebody come out and see us on Monday.
“I know there are budget cuts but something has to give somewhere to ensure officers are more readily available.”
Mrs Campbell said there were two men who came into the shop before leaving quickly and getting into a car that was driven by another man.
She said she was surprised to read in The Courier that police were now urging anyone with information about fake notes in the Kingdom to come forward — as she said that’s exactly what she was doing on Friday; but no-one was listening.
Criminals are using fake cash across the region, police have said, with the notes having been used in stores in Glenrothes, Auchtermuchty, Tayport, Newport-on-Tay, St Andrews, Lochgelly and Cairneyhill.
A 50-year-old man has already been charged in connection with an incident in Lochgelly, however, officers are warning that other suspects remain outstanding.
The suspects bought a low-value item in each store using forged £50 or £20 notes.
They are then given genuine currency as change, leaving each business out of pocket.
Retailers are now being asked to ensure staff check notes thoroughly and report any suspicions they have to police.
“The response was poor,” said Mrs Campbell.
“If they had come here on Friday when we called, maybe they would have these people in custody by now.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Between 3.40pm and 5.30pm on Friday September 23, police in Fife received a number of calls from two businesses in Cairneyhill relating to the suspicious behaviour of three men, who were seen within the stores and in a vehicle outside.
“Both callers also reported that counterfeit currency had been used to pay for goods and believed the same individuals were involved.
“Officers were dealing with a number of ongoing incidents requiring an urgent police response and so attempts were made to arrange a suitable appointment to speak to complainers and obtain full statements.
“We will continue to gather information and conduct the necessary inquiries in relation to these incidents.
“Police Scotland treats all reports of crime with the utmost seriousness and have agreed processes in place to grade calls appropriately so that any emergency situation receives the necessary response.”
