Richard Childs aims to make real progress on the issue of commercial crime against businesses in the UK following his unveiling as the new chairman of Banknote Watch.
Mr Childs is currently the Managing Director of the Association of Chief Police Officers Crime Prevention Initiatives (ACPO CPI) and also the ACPO lead for security systems. ACPO CPI is the UK Police flagship initiative to reduce crime through physical security standards and processes.
Banknote Watch was established by the security industry, police and forensic communities to eliminate stolen banknotes from circulation to reduce profits through cash-in-transit and ATM crime and to help UK businesses be more aware to avoid falling foul of commercial robbery.
The initiative is supported by the Home Office, Scottish Executive, Northern Ireland Office and leading financial organisations and benefits from specialist Bank of England advice.
Mr Childs joined Banknote Watch at the end of 2012 after experience within both the public and private sectors and has been appointed chairman following a lengthy selection process.
The new Chairman has outlined plans to build closer partnerships with the Police and Government to make cash more secure under his tenure.
He highlighted identifying and handling stolen cash and improving the security industry response to commercial robbery and other serious crime as key objectives for growth.
“Banknote Watch is a good example of how an industry can join together in an area of common interest – commercial crime – and by working closely together with Police and Government departments, make sustained progress against this very serious issue,” Mr Childs said.
“One of the key objectives I’ve set for my chairmanship is to ensure that the industry gains recognition for its work in tackling these issues, and I am looking forward to playing a part in that and building upon the progress that has already been made over a number of years.”
