Council launches crackdown on loan sharks

Date article online: 17/03/2008

Rochdale Council is joining forces with a pioneering team to tackle illegal money lending.

The council and other local authorities throughout Greater Manchester, will be working with a team of specially trained officers from Birmingham City Council's Illegal Money Lending Team.

The team already works in the West Midlands, Merseyside, Sheffield and West Yorkshire and has now secured additional funding to expand into Greater Manchester.

Investigation officers working with the team have the power of arrest and gather evidence against suspects.

Since being established in 2004 the Birmingham team has had great success in bringing loan sharks to justice, not just on illegal money lending charges but related offences such as money laundering, counterfeiting and assault.

The project will also help victims of loan sharks who may be at physical risk. Its financial inclusion officers will help with money worries by putting victims in touch with credit unions, debt support agencies and other support groups.

It is estimated that the Birmingham team has helped wipe out more than £2million of illegal debt 'owed' by some of the poorest members of society. It has also seized guns and drugs and recovered more than £100,000 worth of counterfeit items.

Rochdale Council's cabinet member for community safety, Councillor Ted Flynn said: "We are delighted that the Birmingham Team are coming to lend their support to our fight against loan sharks operating in the borough. Their track record is superb. I would advise any Rochdale borough resident who has suffered at the hands of a loan shark to get in touch with us."

Anyone with concerns about illegal money lenders can contact 0161 211 1122; email stoploansharks@manchester.gov.uk; or text "loan (space) shark (space) + Your Message to 60003.