Wickford Printing workshop raided in counterfeit banknotes investigation

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of making counterfeit £20 notes after police raided an industrial workshop.

Officers raided the rental industrial workshop on Cranfield Park Road in Wickford yesterday as part of an investigation by Essex Police’s economic crime unit and discovered a variety of printing machinery including a litho press and guillotine.

The investigation centred around the intelligence of counterfeit Bank of England £20 notes being sold on and laundered into profits.

On arrival, police located printing machinery and items indicating that the location was being used for the production of counterfeit money.

Anthony Grimes, 62, of Homemead, Galleywood and 49 year-old Paul Jones, of Elmington Estate, Camberwell, have now been charged with conspiring to make a counterfeit of a currency note with intent.

They’re both due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court this morning (Thursday 11 April).

Detective Sergeant Mike Monkton “These arrests follow an extensive ongoing investigation in partnership with the National Crime Agency’s counterfeit currency unit.

“The production of counterfeit money is a crime which harms our economy, and individuals and financially benefits criminals.

“These investigations consist of months of intelligence and hard work from our Economic Crime Unit and we will continue to put this hard work in to ensure that no one in Essex makes a living from criminality.”

Source: Essex Police