An Oxford shopkeeper was told his business would be burned down after he refused to accept counterfeit cash from a fraudster.

When he was handed two fake £20 notes the shopkeeper said he would call the police but the man who tried to pay with them said the Abingdon Road shop would be set on fire if he called 999.

The shopkeeper, who does not want to be named, said: "I have had these notes from the same people. I've tried to tell police who they are, but nothing happened.

"I've been told they must be caught red-handed, but something needs to be done to stop this.

"Last week, one of the men came into my shop and threatened to burn my shop down when I said I would call the police."

He said the men using carrying the forged money were in their 20s and of scruffy appearance.

The shopkeeper was threatened on June 13, at 3pm, by a man aged 20 or 21, who was 6ft and slim. He was wearing a red top and jeans.

Det Insp Vince Gilio, of Oxford police, said: "Any threat to property or life is taken incredibly seriously.

"We're investigating the incident, and will be talking to the shop owner about it."

Abingdon Road traders say the group has repeatedly tried to buy goods since Christmas with fake notes.

Mohammad Afzal, 65, who runs Abingdon Road Post Office and the Select and Save store, has been given fake notes in the past and was aware of problems experienced by fellow traders.

"If someone brings fake cash in to me I will tear it up and tell them to get out," he said.

"It's hard to make a living if you are a small shop and these things happen."

Another owner, whose family has run the shop for almost a decade, said: "The same people have been back in again and when we tell them we can't take the money, they become aggressive."

Steve Huckin, crime reduction adviser with Oxford police, said: "Counterfeit currency is an ongoing problem nationwide.

"It is important the note is not handled but retained, and put into a clear plastic bag so police can retain it for examination."