Huge security op to replace Northern notes
A major security operation is being planned across Northern Ireland next week to ensure the replacement of £240m (€343m) worth of notes from the Northern Bank goes smoothly.
Police said a special command room has been set up in Belfast and extra police resources deployed throughout the North to oversee the operation at 95 branches in the wake of last December’s robbery from the bank’s headquarters.
Members of the public were also urged today to watch out for criminals trying to exploit the situation as old Northern Bank money is exchanged for notes with a new design.
Police on both sides of the border believe the IRA was behind the heist which seriously damaged hopes that a power-sharing government could be revived in Northern Ireland this year.
Following the Independent Monitoring Commission’s claim Sinn Féin leaders in leadership roles in the IRA sanctioned the raid, MPs backed British government moves yesterday to strip Sinn Féin of House of Commons allowances.
Two days ago the Northern Bank revealed all £10, £20, £50 and £100 notes would be replaced on Monday with notes with a new logo and different colour.
The serial numbers on the notes will also be changed.
On all notes, the Northern Bank’s logo in capital letters has been changed to Northern in italics.
Various issue dates have been replaced with 19 January, 2005.
The colour of the £10 note has been changed from brown to green and serial numbers will be prefixed with a G instead of B.
The new £20 notes have been changed from purple to blue and the serial number prefix will change to H from C.
The £50 note will be purple instead of green, with a serial number beginning with J instead of D.
The £100 note will change from black and white to red and the serial number will start with a K instead of an E.
