Forty-five attendees from six European countries attended the recent launch of Banknote Watch International (BNWI) in Brussels.
BNWI has been formed as an independent, unincorporated association to co-ordinate the Banknote Watch concept in the UK and in countries that adopt the Banknote Watch crime prevention strategy and promote the concept that "a stained note is probably a stolen note". At the inaugural meeting following the launch, Alan Townsend chairman of Banknote Watch Trust (UK) was elected chairman of BNWI.
Alan Townsend says: "This is an exciting development and one that has huge potential to make it extremely difficult for criminals to use stolen cash not only in the UK, but also in other countries. By sharing best practice and intelligence we are closing loopholes that criminals aim to exploit in our cash processing systems."
BNWI will work with other European organisations to encourage the promotion of the Banknote Watch concept and to develop its objectives throughout European and in non-EU countries. The objectives of BNWI are to: assist organisations / agencies in host countries to introduce the Banknote Watch concept to interested parties and / or potential stakeholders; support the initial set-up meetings and strategic planning; and present a strategic overview of planning, implementation and maintenance of the Banknote Watch concept as a national crime prevention initiative, including:
– financial information in relation to set-up/maintenance costs
– key performance indicators
– public awareness/relation strategy
– advice on post implementation maintenance / support.
Other aims are cross-border information and intelligence; and co-ordinated licensing arrangements and minimum standards in host countries to maintain a consistent delivery of the Banknote Watch concept.
The three founding members – Banknote Watch Trust (BNWT) UK, Vigie Billit (VB) France and Occhio alla Banconota (OaB) Italy – were represented at the launch by several members from each organisation including Raffaele Maddalone, OaB President, Paul Roquette, VB Chairman and Alan Townsend, BNWT Chairman.
