A campaign group has been out in a town centre protesting about the dangers of a cashless society.

Twelve activists, wearing hi-viz jackets and waving placards, were encouraging drivers to ‘honk their horns for freedom’ as they urged people to ‘use it or lose it’ when it comes to hard currency.

It took place outside McDonald’s at Sittingbourne Retail Park off Mill Way as part of a global movement called A Stand in the Park, which invites people to demonstrate against anti-freedom measures each Sunday between 10am and 11am.

The group, which started in Australia in 2021 and has now become something of an international phenomenon, has seen its Kent members address issues such as vaccine passports and hospital waiting times.

The latest protest focused on fears of a move to a cashless society, and the Bank of England’s plans, currently out for consultation, to introduce a digital pound.

The move is being considered to provide a stable alternative to cryptocurrency.

But retired police officer Tom Lee, who was part of last weekend’s protest, fears it could make currency more vulnerable to criminals, and would leave the country dependent on technology.

The 58-year-old explained: "The reason we demonstrated in Sittingbourne was because the population is not being asked whether they want to go cashless.

"Obviously it's something which is being mentioned globally, but rushing ahead regardless with a currency where those above could control where we spend our money, how it's spent and what it's spent on, has some potentially awful problems and that's something our group fears.

"There's an assumption this is going to happen, and I feel there aren't enough questions being asked as to whether people want this.

“If it does, there will be no alternative when you want to buy something.”

Latest statistics from UK Finance found 40.4 billion payments were made in 2021, with debit cards accounting for nearly half of those.

But cash was still the second most used way to purchase and was involved in 15% of all payments – despite a 1.7% decrease since 2020.

A consultation paper was released in February by the Bank of England, detailing the case for a retail central bank digital currency known as a ‘digital pound.’

However the UK’s central bank continues to highlight the importance of notes and coins, and in 2022 acknowledged it remains a valued form of money for many.

It has also been suggested more than eight million people and businesses would struggle to survive in a society which doesn't use cash.

In 2021, The Post Office began the #SaveOurCash campaign by admitting their concern about the risk of the UK steadily moving to a cashless society.

Last October, customers opted to boycott Thamesgate Shopping Centre in Gravesend after its car parks went cashless.

In March a Thanet pub faced an outcry from residents after announcing on Facebook it would become cashless.

KentOnline tried using cash only for a week in 2022, with our reporter finding some outlets turned her away.

Mr Lee, who has lived in Sittingbourne for nearly 30 years, believes the impacts of a digital currency are not emphasised enough and admits there are a number of understated reasons to retain notes and coins.

"Little things like pocket money, getting a coin from the tooth fairy and boot sales will be taken away, and homeless people too would struggle a lot more,” the Park Road resident added.

"Going cashless would stop more crime though of course and, as a retired police officer, that's a big issue.

"But a completely digital currency is more vulnerable to crime than cash is, especially as people could stash thousands away and someone could come along and take it.

"Equally, when the system goes offline and crashes at any point you won't be able to transact, so the pros of keeping our current currency far outweigh the possible changes.

"A purely digital currency would also be very discriminatory, especially against older people who would be absolutely terrified and, IT-wise, some of them wouldn't cope as effectively just like some younger people, too.”