Police are investigating a string of reports from businesses in the Ipswich area of people using fraudulent bank notes to pay for services.

Joshua Luke Hair, in Woodbridge Road in Ipswich, suffered a loss after a man, who was wearing a big black puffer-style coat and with dark hair, paid for salon products using a fake £50 note. 

Several other reports from nearby firms have been made to Suffolk police.

Joshua Armstrong-James, owner of Joshua Luke Hair, said: "He came in at around midday on Tuesday, December 5.

"He gave our young apprentice the fake £50 as well as a £5 note and some loose change to confuse her when he was paying. 

"She gave him £20 in change, and we are now £50 out of pocket.

"For a small business, that is a lot of money."

READ MORE: Rogue traders spotted in Suffolk village

When Mr Armstrong-James realised what had happened, he posted CCTV of the man on social media and went around the small businesses in the area to warn them.

"We had never seen him before," he said.

"Once we had posted the image on Facebook, a salon in Felixstowe contacted me to say that the man had done the same thing to them, as well as a salon in Clacton."

Suffolk police has said officers are investigating other incidents across the county after fake notes were also used in Woodbridge and Rushmere. 

A post by Suffolk police confirmed that it was investigating a report of a fake £50 note being used at a shop in Felixstowe on Hamilton Road, which took place at 1.30pm on December 5.

 

Another report of a fake £50 being used in Rushmere was reported to the police at about 12.20pm on the same day.

According to Suffolk police, the suspect left these premises and got into a silver Vauxhall estate car.

Anyone with information that could help officers in their investigation is being urged to contact Suffolk police, using crime reference number 37/70341/23.