Rochdale house is counterfeit cash production plant

Following the arrest of a Blackburn man as part of a police investigation into a major counterfeit cash gang, a house in Rochdale was searched and found to be a “production plant”, and officers believe metal was melted on the cooker which was put into moulds.

An electro-plating technique would then be used to colour the silver coins, which were used across the North West, according to police.

As part of a major nationwide swoop, Lancashire officers arrested the man at Birch Services on the M62 where they seized what they allege to be 6,000 fake £1 coins and £5,000 in counterfeit £20 notes.

Following a year-long investigation, four other people were arrested in Yorkshire, Humberside and Norfolk.

So far police said they had recovered £100,000 in fake money, and it is claimed the total could pass £1million.

The investigation was launched after Bank of England experts noted a sudden increase in £1 and £2 coins, as well as £20 and 50euro notes.

A Lancashire police spokesman said it was believed there had been a “significant operation” running across the UK.