British Security Industry Association Chief Executive David Dickinson said:

“Banknote Watch has successfully raised awareness about the significance of a stained banknote. If all stained banknotes are recognised as being stolen it will be very difficult for criminals to profit from robbery at premises with appropriate security systems in place.

This flagship partnership between the police, the security industry and a host of other stakeholders and end-user organisations has started to turn the table on criminals – and should be applauded for doing so.

The BSIA is fully behind Banknote Watch.”

February 2004

British Oil Security Syndicate Executive Director Kevin Eastwood said:

"Cash transactions, for many UK service stations, represent a regular and significant proportion of their sales income. Therefore, it is vitally important that those who work in the industry are fully aware of security issues affecting banknotes.

The British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) comprises the major petrol retailers operating in the UK and is responsible for updating its’ members on all aspects of security and staff safety, in order to reduce crime and minimise risk.

For this reason BOSS is pleased to be a member of Banknote Watch, which enables representatives from a wide range of disciplines to share expertise in relation to the security of cash."

January 2004

West Yorkshire Police Detective Inspector John Birkenshaw said:

"West Yorkshire Police are working in many ways to reduce criminal activity within our county and we need the help and support of our communities and businesses to make a real impact to reduce crime.

Banknote Watch is an excellent example of the police, the security industry and the public working together in partnership to tackle commercial crime. The use of Banknote Watch posters is a cost effective deterrent in itself and sends out a positive message to would-be criminals not to try and change stolen money in these premises."

June 2003

MPS Flying Squad Detective Superintendent Tim White said:

"I am impressed by the work of Banknote Watch and its' members, who take valuable time out of their busy schedules to promote this successful national crime prevention initiative. I attended a Banknote Watch committee meeting in November this year and found the debate both stimulating and productive.

We frequently hear about the police and industry working together to help reduce crime and the effect it has on victims. For an effective and meaningful example of "partnership in action" you need look no further than Banknote Watch."

December 2002

Alan Townsend, Banknote Watch Chairman & MPS Flying Squad Crime Prevention Co-ordinator said:

"The increase in the use of smoke and dye cash degradation systems, has made Banknote Watch even more relevant today than it was at its' launch in January 2001. New developments within the industry, such as the BSI PAS minimum standards paper and the ability to add site-specific ingredients to dyes, will also add a new dimension to the work of Banknote Watch.

With over 120,000 public awareness posters and retailer advice leaflets now circulated, the response to the initiative has been tremendous. In addition, numerous police forces up and down the country now use Banknote Watch as a first point of reference when following up stained note enquiries."

July 2002

Metropolitan Police Service Commander Alan Brown said:

"The Association of Chief Police Officers was pleased to support Banknote Watch at its' launch in January 2001 and are delighted to have become a member of this important national crime reduction initiative. Raising public awareness that 'stained notes are probably stolen' is important because this will help stop criminals profiting from the proceeds of crime and make businesses all over the country safer places to do business.

The effect of Banknote Watch is already being felt in London, where commercial robbery has fallen by over 16% and with public support I am sure it will continue to act as a major deterrent against these violent crimes."

January 2002

Home Office Minister John Denham said:

"Violent crime blights lives and it can also have a devastating effect on businesses. Successful inroads have been made against this type of organised crime but communities are also in a position to help. Not accepting stained banknotes is a very significant step people can take to stamp out this crime.

"Banknote Watch has already had a positive impact in London as part of a wider strategy. With the help of Government cash and new commercial supporters I'm sure this national campaign will go from strength to strength."

December 2001

Digby Ram, Founding Chairman of Banknote Watch said:

"Home Office, Scottish Executive and Northern Ireland Office funding will enable Banknote Watch to target its' highly effective public awareness material where needed most through police forces the length and breadth of the country.

With the additional support of new members, leaders in policing, cash management and retail cash handling, Banknote Watch will continue to work in partnership to reduce violent robberies in the business community."

October 2001

Part of the statement from APACS:

"Whilst the commercial banking industry is wholly supportive of the Banknote Watch initiative, we are aware that particularly at the outset, there is a remote possibility that some dye-stained notes will be withdrawn from ATMs by customers. This is because high-speed note sorters used by the banks to process notes for ATM usage do not currently have the ability to detect this characteristic. Investigations are underway to see if this position can be changed, but customers may rest assured that any such notes acquired from a ATM will be exchanged for bona fide notes when presented at the relevant Bank/Building Society branch counter together with evidence of the ATM withdrawal."

June 2001 (www.apacs.org.uk)

Metropolitan Police Service Assistant Commissioner David Veness said:

"Experience in combating robbery over many years has taught us hard lessons and underline the need for constant innovation to meet the threat. The one certainty is that violent threat will be a recurring challenge in different forms. We know that the targets, the financial sectors and the venues will vary over time, but the motive of robbery always remains monetary greed.

For the first time Banknote Watch provides a strategic, multi-dimensional approach to the movement of cash which represents the direct proceeds of the crimes of robbery. Scotland Yard salutes this initiative and we will work hard to ensure its' success."

January 2001

Metropolitan Police Flying Squad Detective Constable Alan Townsend said:

"There are approximately 22,000 smoke and dye systems in place in the United Kingdom at the present time protecting multi-millions of pounds on a daily basis, and their use is set to substantially rise over the next few years. Until today there has been no one organisation responsible for the collation of information, intelligence and statistics involving the use of smoke and dye systems.

Banknote Watch will fill that vacuum, providing valuable data and advice to the police, users, retailers, trade associations and other legitimate organisations that may require this information."

January 2001

Digby Ram, Banknote Watch Chairman & Managing Director IBP International said:

"Through the British Standards Institution and the British Security Industry Association, Banknote Watch are writing standards. This is to ensure that the robbery risk is addressed with products manufactured and designed to stringent quality standards. Additionally, through the new BSIA Cash and Property Marking Section, we are helping to draft these standards and in the process of organising a central register of the forensic profiles of all dyes supplied in the industry.

We are confident that Banknote Watch will be seen as being part of a concerted government effort to tackle the rising problem of robberies on commercial premises, ATM's and cash in transit."

January 2001

British Transport Police Deputy Chief Constable Tony Lake & ACPO Representative said:

"Much is said about the positive effectiveness of partnership initiatives to reduce crime and to limit criminal opportunity. Banknote Watch is a classic initiative to do precisely that, and represents a clear and pragmatic approach to problem solving. It also shows just how good the relationship is with the private sector at a high level, and at a strategic level, in terms of seeking to establish methods to reduce crime.

I want to put on record that the Association of Chief Police Officers Committee that I represent, the Crime and Disorder Reduction and Partnership Committee, is wholeheartedly behind this scheme."

January 2001

Northern Ireland Minister, Adam Ingram said:

"Banknote Watch is an excellent practical example of the police, the security industry and the financial institutions working together in partnership that could tackle crime. From my point of view this initiative goes further than that because crucially it invites the public and business to participate. Banknote Watch will be successful because it is inclusive. It breaks down the demarcations between the police and the public responsibilities.

I know I speak for Charles CLARK and for Jack STRAW, and for the Home Office Team by saying we welcome this scheme. We do wish it luck, we do give it support, and we will watch its progress very closely."

January 2001 (www.nio.gov.uk/press/010129a-nio.htm)

Roger Duckworth, National Security Manager, Post Office CH&D said:

"There's no doubt that degradation technology has played an important role in reducing crime in cash in transit and the Post Office. However, we've never really closed the loop by completely denying criminals the opportunity of spending their ill-gotten gains.

Banknote Watch is going to close that loop by giving retailers and counter clerks the ability to take some positive action when confronted with stained notes. As a result of the Banknote Watch initiative we look forward to seeing stolen notes being taken out of circulation and to intelligence being collated, which will support police action against the robbers."

January 2001

Gordon Ferrie, Group Security Manager, Royal Bank of Scotland said:

"I can give you numerous examples of where dye packs actually work. It's a major undertaking for any security manager involved with a bank to take that forward, but we’ve had some excellent results this year where dye packs have been used.

I congratulate this initiative; the Royal Bank of Scotland has been using dye packs for many, many years. I welcome the Metropolitan Police being involved, I've been at the sharp end of robbery in the police force and I know exactly what happens, but together we can crack crime, I'm in absolutely no doubt about that"

January 2001