The freephone crime reporting line Crimestoppers has launched a campaign appealing for the public’s help in trying to reduce the amount of counterfeit money – with over £4m already recovered this year.
In the weeks to Christmas the anti-crime charity is running a ‘Fake Money Is A Crime’ campaign to appeal for information on those producing, buying or selling counterfeit banknotes. In the first half of 2014, worthless counterfeit banknotes with a notional value of £4.2 million were removed from UK streets, while the figure for the whole of 2013 was £11.6m. In no way is this a victimless crime, Crimestoppers says, with incidents in various parts of the UK that have seen retailers, schools, charities and the elderly conned out of money.
A school fete in Kent were devastated to find out part of their takings from a fun day were counterfeit. The cruel trickster went round different stalls and paid for a low value item, such as a 50p game with a £20 note, saying they did not have any change. A PTA member said: “We feel frustrated, disappointed and amazed someone could do that. They have taken money from children – it’s absolutely disgusting.”
Although counterfeiting is rare, it supports serious organised crime, the charity points out. A larger scale case saw four individuals arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA), with two given seven year sentences in January last year after producing over £1.3 million worth of counterfeit notes.
Crimestoppers is now appealing to the public to pass on information through their anonymous 0800 555 111 number that will help bring to justice those producing, selling or buying counterfeit notes. Social media posts will be used while advertising will be placed in pubs to highlight the issue and appeal for the public’s help.
Roger Critchell, Director of Operations for Crimestoppers, said: “We know Christmas is a tough time for some and the lure of counterfeit notes could make things easier for them. However, I must stress that the producing, purchasing or selling of counterfeit notes is a serious offence and could result in someone going to prison. What we are asking from the public is not to be tempted by these notes, but instead tell us who is involved in this crime anonymously. I promise nobody will ever know you spoke to us, we only want to know what you know, not who you are.”
The Bank of England is supporting Crimestoppers in their campaign and reminding retailers and businesses to check all notes during the festive period. Lucy Dennett of the Bank of England’s Notes Directorate said: “The Bank of England welcomes the support of Crimestoppers in encouraging the public to play their part in reporting counterfeit crime. These partnerships are a vital part of the Bank’s initiatives to ensure that the risk of receiving a counterfeit note remains low.”
You can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the Anonymous Online Form. For more on the campaign visit the fakes fund crime website.
