May.23, 2010, 3:20pm

FOUR Birmingham men have been arrested at Knutsford services after allegedly trying to launder stolen money through an automatic change machine.

Police found a number of banknotes covered in security dye had been fed into an automated machine that swaps notes for coins to be used in slot machines or arcade games.

Four men, aged 21 to 24, were arrested on suspicion of theft and money laundering in the swoop at Knutsford Services, on the M6 at about 6.30pm on Saturday evening, said a spokesman for Cheshire Police.

Officers had been alerted after people raised the alarm after a group of men were seen “acting suspiciously” near the gaming machines.

When police searched them they found a ‘large quantity’ of £1 coins.