Business owners are being advised to take extra safety precautions when transporting money to the bank and when checking for counterfeit Bermuda notes.

A Police spokesman issued warnings and precautions yesterday afternoon. He said: "Thieves are about."

He suggested that people who take cash to the bank on a daily basis should avoid handling large sums of cash, and he also advised that businesses make infrequent deposits, rather than routine visits.

The spokesman also warned against carrying recognisable cash bags, and said people should vary their routes as often as possible.

He added that business proprietors should avoid taking shortcuts or using dimly lit streets, and said they should never take cash home.

The Police also issued a warning about circulating counterfeit notes.

A Police spokesman said all Bermuda bank notes had a tuna fish water mark that could be seen when the note was held up to the light.

Also, all notes are printed in a multitude of colours and the higher the denomination, the more colours are used.

Each note has its own security feature and all Bermuda dollars issued since 1970, except the one dollar bill, are legal tender.