The crime prevention initiative aims to prevent criminals profiting from the proceeds of crime by raising awareness about the provenance of stained notes among members of the public, businesses and the police service, and encouraging their withdrawal from circulation.
This initiative unites the manufacturers, installers and users of cash degradation systems with the Government and the police, and is supported by a number of industry bodies including the British Security Industry Association (BSIA).
The new site provides visitors with a wealth of information on what to do and who to contact should they come across a stained note. It also provides ample scope for interaction with members of the initiative via a number of social media channels.
In addition, the site updates on latest developments in technology and good news stories exemplifying the work of the group and its successes in assisting the police when it comes to identifying and convicting criminals.
Development process for the new site
Hilaire O’Shea, acting co-chairman at Banknote Watch, was heavily involved in the development of the new site.
“With people increasingly turning to the Internet to find answers to their problems and questions,” explained O’Shea, “”there was a real eagerness from the group to improve our online presence. We therefore invested in a new site that could adequately reflect the great successes and achievements of Banknote Watch in the recent years.
O’Shea continued: “One of Banknote Watch’s key aims is that of educating members of the public, the police service and businesses about the fact that stained notes are likely to be stolen banknotes, often obtained in a violent way at the expense of retailers or Cash-in-Transit couriers. Our new site does just that, providing anyone who has obtained a stained note with useful advice on what they should do with it.”
Linking money to the robbery… and its location
Andrew Gregory, himself a long-standing member of Banknote Watch (and a crime prevention design advisor/crime reduction offficer at West Midlands Police) commented: “For the police, being able to quickly and effectively identify the provenance of the dye on banknotes is paramount for linking the money to a particular robbery and location. Therefore, having a one-stop shop where we can access information from the industry directly is something that greatly assists us in our job.”
He went on to state: “The new website is a welcome addition to the already indisputable value that the Banknote Watch initiative offers to police, businesses and members of the public in raising awareness regarding the issues around – and the provenance of – stained banknotes.”
If you would like to contact a Banknote Watch member organisation or find out more about the initiative access the new website