POLICE MAKE ARRESTS FOLLOWING COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY OPERATION
 
Dear Coordinator,

IN A JOINT operation with the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Royal Mint, officers from Cheshunt police station executed a search warrant at Small Acre Nursery in Crouch Lane on Friday, June 25, following reports counterfeit currency was being produced on the premises.

As part of the operation, search warrants were also executed at Tylers Close, Buntingford and Perrysfield Road in Cheshunt.

Twenty counterfeit one pound coins were seized along with a significant number of stolen vehicle parts, hundreds of cash bags and what appeared to be off cuts from the production of counterfeit coins.

Two men, a 40-year-old from Buntingford and a 37-year-man from Cheshunt, were arrested at Small Acre Nursery on suspicion of possessing criminal property and theft. They have been released on bail and are due to return to Hoddesdon Police Station on August 6.

Neighbourhood Inspector for Cheshunt, Hannah Mann, said: "The circulation of counterfeit currency is a problem experienced throughout the country, not just at a local level. We were very pleased to work with SOCA and the Royal Mint in assisting them to stop local criminals benefitting from this form of crime."

John Sheridan, Head of the UK National Office for SOCA, said: "Friday's warrants were well planned and executed and we appreciated the support of Hertfordshire Constabulary on the day. As a result of the operation I am pleased that we have hindered counterfeit currency trafficking in the local area.

He added: "Counterfeit pound coins are very difficult to identify with the naked eye. However if you find a coin that states it was produced in the 1990s and it appears to be new and relatively unblemished, it is very likely to be counterfeit as genuine coins from this period would have tarnished over time.

If anyone suspects someone of producing or trafficking counterfeit currency, please contact police on the non-emergency number 0845 33 00 222.
If you need to reply by email click on my address here: kyle.price2@herts.pnn.police.uk.
Regards,
Kyle Price
Watch Liaison Officer
Neighbourhood Watch
Email: kyle.price2@herts.pnn.police.uk
Tel: 01992 533835