POLICE are warning retailers and customers to be on their guard against bogus gift vouchers.

Four incidents were reported to police at stores in Bury and the Trafford Centre last week. Shoppers tried to pay for goods with Capital Bond vouchers which were later found to be counterfeit.

A man tried to buy more than £1,300 worth of stock from B&Q in Bury on Monday December 10 with 70 £20 vouchers. When it was established these were fakes, the man ran off emptyhanded.

Attempts were also made to buy goods from Burns Jewellers and Boots, in Bury, the following day. A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation and bailed until January 29.

Detective Constable Allison Dyson said: “We want to warn people who may be offered Capital Bond vouchers that there are forgeries in circulation.

“We suspect that these may be offered at a discounted rate. While this will be tempting to many customers, particularly at this time of year, I urge them to err on the side of caution.”

l A man is due to appear in court today accused of trying to buy perfume from Debenhams on The Rock with £300 worth of counterfeit Capital Bond vouchers.Sonny Nicholas James Mather, of Mount Pleasant, Nangreaves, has been charged with fraud by false representation following the alleged incident last Thursday.