2013/14 edition
Part of Trading Standards
StopLoanSharks
National Newsletter
Courts Round Up
Operation Challenger - Manchester trio who exploited and extorted
borrowers imprisoned
Ian Parsons
Parsons Cash
Parsons Avatar
Three men who ran a substantial illegal money
lending business in Manchester were imprisoned
in September.
Ian Parsons, 27, of Lakeside Rise, Blackley,
Manchester pleaded guilty to three counts of illegal
money lending and two counts of money laundering
and was sentenced to 32 months in prison.
Christopher Weaver, 37, of Maybury Street, Gorton,
Manchester, pleaded guilty to two counts of illegal
money lending and two counts of money laundering
and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Christopher’s brother Mark Weaver, 35, pleaded
guilty to one count of illegal money lending and one
count of money laundering, and was sentenced to
three months in prison.
The investigation and prosecution was led by the
England Team as part of Operation Challenger, a
multi agency crackdown in partnership with
Manchester City Council and Greater
Manchester Police.
Mark Weaver was the first to be arrested in May
2012 by Greater Manchester Police in relation to
another offence, for which he is serving a custodial
sentence. At the time of his arrest he was found with
Christopher Weaver
Mark Weaver
documentary and phone records in relation to the
illegal money lending business.
This information was referred to the England Team
who were investigating a number of reports in
relation to I&J loans, the illegal business which
Parsons, and the Weaver brothers were operating.
In December 2012 officers from the England Team,
along with officers from Greater Manchester Police,
Manchester City Council, Tameside Council and
Oldham Council executed warrants at a number of
addresses across Greater Manchester.
Ian Parsons and Christopher Weaver were arrested
at their home addresses, after phones and other
documentary evidence was seized.
The Team identified 62 borrowers and found that
the trio were lending predominantly but not
exclusively to young women with young children.
The clients were similar in age, mainly unemployed
or on low income wages. They all tended to be
financially excluded in some respect. All of the
victims in the case were reluctant to come forward
to give a statement.
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National Newsletter | 2013/14 edition Page 2
Contents
Courts Round Up
Operation Challenger - Manchester trio imprisoned
1
Hull man imprisoned for 12 years
4
Croydon loan shark sentenced to 20 months in prison
5
North West loan shark trio imprisoned
6
Birmingham man imprisoned
7
Westminster casino loan sharks sentenced
8
North East Wales loan shark Graeme Walker sentenced
8
Widnes loan shark Stephen Wharton sentenced
9
Convicted loan shark Narcita Mallari ordered to pay back £27,000
9
Courts and Enforcement Round Up
Latest News
Ministers Visit
10
Your Choice intiatives
10
Education Update
11
England Round Up
11
Scotland Round Up
13
Statistics
13
To report a loan shark
13
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National Newsletter | 2013/14 edition Page 3
(continued from front page)
Parsons profited through the illegal business over an
18 month period. Along with the Weaver brothers he
used texts and blackberry messenger to arrange
loans and contact borrowers for repayment.
The court heard how there was an underlying theme
of intimidation, with threatening text messages such
as “When I get you I’ll end you” and “He’ll come and
grab you and snap your jaw” sent from Parsons.
Parsons’ blackberry avatar showed a bare chested
man wearing a balaclava with the caption
“One..two..Moneyz cumin 4 you.”
Although documentary evidence seized does not
represent the totality of the business, it did show it
was an organised and substantial operation. At least
134 borrowers were recorded with a turnover
estimated at £110,000.
100% interest was added so a loan for £100 would
be paid back at £20 each week for 10 weeks. The
prosecution described this as grossly excessive.
Charges were included for late payment, which
included adding the value of the missed payment
onto the outstanding balance.
In May 2013, following evidence which showed that
Ian Parsons and Christopher Weaver were
continuing to operate the illegal business following
their arrests, further warrants were executed.
Parsons and Christopher Weaver were then charged
and remanded in custody.
Upon sentencing Parsons, HHJ Mort said
“This was a nice little business and you accepted
that the people you were dealing with were
financially vulnerable. There was a degree of
intimidation.
Christopher and Mark Weaver played lesser roles,
collecting and encouraging people to take up loans.
In the climate in which we live, people are in
desperate financial situations. I have to impose a
custodial sentence to send a clear message that
people must not be involved in this criminality. It was
a well organised system with a turnover of £110,000,
Victims would have been under considerable
emotional stress and anxiety. There is legislation
in place to stop this profiteering, exploitation
and extortion.”
A financial investigation under proceeds of crime
legislation is ongoing in relation to Ian Parsons.
The chairman of the National Trading
Standards Board
Lord Toby Harris said:
"Loan sharks target the most vulnerable in society
and often trap them for years – even decades –
with crippling repayments, destroying lives of
individuals and their families. Trading standards are
working extremely hard to tackle these despicable
criminals – the specialist Illegal Money Lending
Team, funded by the National Trading Standards
Board, is making a real difference in communities
all over the country. The team provides a safe
haven enabling victims to come forward and works
together with local authority trading standards
services, and other partners, to bring loan sharks
to justice.”
Operation Challenger is a multi-agency operation
led by Greater Manchester Police to crack down
on organised criminality. With the ability to bring
dozens of agencies together instantly, those
agencies are now better equipped to share
information and intelligence and use their powers
to make it difficult for these criminals to operate.
As part of Operation Challenger the England
Team are continuing to appeal for information
from anyone who has been affected by a loan
shark. In October the Team took part in a week
long crackdown in partnership with the Police
and other agencies, which included a large
scale door knocking operation across
Openshaw West.
The Team also worked in partnership with Greater
Manchester Police and Tameside Metropolitan
Borough Council for an event in August in which
the Team’s mascot Sid the Shark was out an
about in Ashton Under Lyne town centre and at
the Greenside Lane Shopping Centre in
Droylsden handing out leaflets and offering
information and advice.
A mobile Police station was on site with a number
of volunteer experts from agencies advising on
steering clear of loan sharks, debt problems and
a range of other issues.
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National Newsletter | 2013/14 edition Page 4
Fourth suspect imprisoned
A fourth person who was involved in the organised illegal money lending business was sentenced to 12
months in prison following a hearing at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court in December.
Raymond Young, 30 from Clayton, Manchester was arrested and charged in June 2013 and pleaded guilty
to offences of illegal money lending and money laundering.
Young came to the attention of the England Illegal Money Lending Team via their confidential hotline in
2012. He operated alongside Ian Parsons, Christopher Weaver and Mark Weaver and his involvement in
the illegal business was proved after his fingerprints were uncovered on the documentation.
Upon sentencing His Honour Judge Mort said
“An interest rate of 100% was charged. 50% is exorbitant. This is highly exorbitant. The exorbitant interest
rates were charged to vulnerable people. The effect on people who borrow from loan sharks is they sink
deeper and deeper into debt. There were no clear threats or audible threats but you knew people being put
into greater debt can be ruined. ”
Hull man imprisoned for 12 years for illegal money lending and a string
of other offences
A 46 year old man who operated as a loan shark in Hull as well as committing a
string of other offences, has been sentenced to a total of twelve years in prison
following a hearing at Hull Crown Court.
Darren Wilson pleaded guilty to seven counts of illegal money lending and two
counts of money laundering at a hearing in June.
Darren Wilson
The illegal money lending investigation and prosecution was led by the England
Team working in partnership with Hull City Council.
For each of the seven counts for illegal money lending and the counts of money laundering he was
sentenced to two years in prison to be served concurrently to an eight year sentence for conspiracy to
commit murder and a consecutive four year sentence for conspiracy to commit arson. He was also given a
concurrent four year sentence for drugs offences. All of these other offences were investigated by
Humberside Police.
Wilson ran the illegal money lending business for nearly six years from January to 2006 to 13th December
2012, the date he was arrested by the England Team after they executed a warrant at his home.
During the search documentary evidence of the illegal business was seized along with £3795 in cash.
The records found show that a total of 461 loans had been dealt out, totalling nearly £210,000.
This doesn’t take into account any loans which weren’t recorded and any where the documentation
was discarded.
Typically between 50 and 100% interest was added on to the loans, which meant that in many cases
people were paying back double the amount they had borrowed. Investigators also found a number of
text messages on Wilson’s phone which provided further evidence that he had been offering and
collecting loans.
Upon sentencing His Honour Judge Mettyear described Wilson as acting like
“An underworld gangster”
A financial investigation under proceeds of crime legislation is ongoing.
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National Newsletter | 2013/14 edition Page 5
Croydon loan shark sentenced to 20 months in prison for
“insidious” illegal business
Julian Douglas
A 43 year old man, who operated as a loan shark across London and Kent from
November 2009 to May 2013, was sentenced to 20 months in prison following a
hearing at Croydon Crown Court in October. Julian Douglas of Dinsdale Gardens
pleaded guilty to illegal money lending, money laundering and attempting to
pervert the course of justice at an earlier hearing. He was investigated and
prosecuted by the England Team working in partnership with Croydon Council.
The court heard how unemployed Douglas operated without a licence expecting borrowers to pay back
double the amount they had borrowed. The investigation revealed that he had arranged, managed and
enforced loans.
Douglas was reported to the England Team via their 24/7 hotline, and in May this year they executed
a warrant at his home, seizing documentation including 24 loan agreements, relating to current
loans. The agreements showed he had loaned out around £32,000 and was expecting a return of
almost £115,000.
In interview Douglas admitted he had been lending illegally to the 24 individuals and many others over a
period of around four and half years. He charged borrowers double the amount, and found new
customers via word of mouth. He admitted that many borrowers “rolled over” their loans into new ones,
so would never be able to pay off the capital unless they stopped borrowing.
Douglas continued to harass his victims even whilst on bail. He told them to continue paying the loans,
destroy any documentation and not to tell the Team that he had been in contact. Because of this, a
fortnight after his first arrest, Douglas was rearrested for attempting to pervert the course of justice, and
a further count of illegal money lending. He was then remanded in custody.
Upon sentencing The Recorder of Croydon, His Honour Judge McKinnon said this was
“An insidious business of a loan shark over a period of three and a half years. His poor wretched victims
had no real possibility of paying off the loan. It was a highly profitable and substantial unlicensed
business, a very bad case with interest in excess of 600%”
A financial investigation under proceeds of crime legislation is ongoing.
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National Newsletter | 2013/14 edition Page 6
North West loan shark trio imprisoned
John Radford
Paul Holman
Three people who operated an extensive illegal
money lending business across the North West of
England were imprisoned following a hearing at
Chester Crown Court.
John Radford, 57, of Park Road, Great Sankey in
Warrington, Paul Holman, 35 from Redpoll Grove in
Halewood, Knowsley and Sindy Hope, 50, from
Castle Rise in Runcorn were convicted following a
12 day trial of their involvement in the illegal money
lending business.
Radford was sentenced to 30 months in prison,
whilst Holman and Hope were sentenced to 10
months in prison.
The illegal money lending trial followed on from a
firearms trial involving Radford in December 2012.
The England Team had previously charged Radford
with possession of a loaded revolver gun and
ammunition and after being convicted he was
sentenced to eight years in prison for possession of
the gun, and two years for possession of the
ammunition to be served concurrently. His
sentence for illegal money lending will run
consecutively to this.
A number of other weapons including machetes,
knuckle dusters and red pepper spray were found
during the warrant in March 2012. In addition over
£17,000 was seized from safes in his home.
Sindy Hope
wealth at the expense of vulnerable people who by
the very nature of their personal and financial
circumstances, had no choice but to seek funds
from him, locking them into a spiral of never ending
debt, high interest rates and no prospect of ever
concluding their dependency on him.
Radford engaged both Holman and Hope in
intrinsic roles collecting payments, brokering new
and additional loans and intimidating people who
defaulted, making them equally culpable of the
illegal offences.
The trio targeted victims predominantly in the
Liverpool and Halton areas between October 2010
and March 2012. At the point of their arrest they
were due a huge estimated return in excess of
£420,000. A search of their homes uncovered vast
amounts of documentation relating to the illegal
money lending business.
Investigators from the England Team analysed the
loan records uncovered from the homes of each of
the three defendants and saw that in just a six
week period, they had approximately 130
customers, who owed them almost £100,000 from
small short term loans.
Both investigations were led by the England Team,
working in partnership with Cheshire Police
Financial Investigation Unit, Warrington and Halton
Borough Council and Knowsley Borough Council.
Radford profited greatly at the expense of others
through the illegal business. He lived in a large
detached property and had 17 other properties
which he rented out. He owned a total of nine
vehicles, and had more than £775,000 across five
bank accounts, despite declaring less than
£250,000 as his income through employment and
renting properties since 2003.
Radford had previously worked as a legal money
lender, but allowed his licence to lapse. He
continued to unscrupulously generate significant
Interest was varied with people often paying back
at least double what they had borrowed. Although
some borrowers signed an agreement, these
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National Newsletter | 2013/14 edition Page 7
(continued from previous page)
weren’t legally enforceable and they were never
given any paperwork to keep track of the loan
themselves. In some cases interest was never even
discussed. Late payment fees were sometimes
added at £10 a day.
One victim who took out a loan for £1000 was
forced to pay back £60 every week for a year,
meaning they paid back more than three times
what they had borrowed. As they began to struggle
with repayments, they were forced to take out
further loans from Radford, Holman and Hope to
repay the first. As the debt spiralled, they were told
they owed more than £13,000.
Radford, Holman and Hope were known to
threaten borrowers telling them they were due
“a hiding” or that they would take their home or
send bailiffs.
Upon sentencing His Honour Judge Trigger said
“Radford was as a slippery as an eel. He took
every opportunity to deflect the blame onto
someone else and deliberately attempted to avoid
any scrutiny or detection. Radford was the centre
of the operation, he employed Holman and Hope
to do the dirty work and go collecting on his behalf.
Even though they would earn 8-10% of the money
collected. In the four years between 2007 and
2011, Radford lent put £310,000 and was due
to receive double back- this was a very
profitable business.
He charged £10 a day in repayment fees, and even
if they weren’t enforced, they were there to cause
customers anxiety. These type of offences require a
custodial sentence as a deterrent.”
Birmingham man who ran ‘significant’ illegal money lending business imprisoned
A 43 year old man who operated as a loan shark
in Birmingham was sentenced to eight months
in prison following an investigation by the
England Team.
Kevin Renford, of Albert Road in Handsworth
pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to illegal money
lending and possession of criminal property.
Renford ran the illegal business from February
2008 to the point of his arrest in November 2012.
When officers from the Team executed a warrant at
his home they found computer records and
handwritten reports relating to the illegal business
and seized £13,460 in cash.
Due to the fact that penalties were sporadically
added for late or missed payments, and several of
Renford’s borrowers had taken out a number of
loans, it was difficult to ascertain the true scale of
the business.
However Renford’s own records showed he had at
least 23 customers over the time which he
operated, loaning out at least £36,950 and
receiving up to £600 a week in interest.
Unemployed Renford had two methods of
accumulating interest. His favoured method was to
charge £10 per week per £100 borrowed, until the
whole amount borrowed could be paid in one lump
sum. Alternatively he would charge a standard flat
rate- one example of this was a loan for £400, in
which £790 had to be repaid.
In some instances Renford took items including
phones and laptops ‘as security’ on loans.
Renford had adopted a methodical approach to
the illegal business- devising loan agreements and
payment schedules and meticulously calculating
repayments. As victims paid directly into his bank
accounts, he had split his money between several
accounts in an attempt to avoid detection.
Text messages uncovered on Renford’s phone
showed he was persistent in pursuing repayment
when borrowers were struggling to repay
and threatened to take items if payment was
not received.
Upon sentencing His Honour Judge Webb said
“You ran a money lending business without a
licence charging extortionate rates of interest. The
persons you described as friends were vulnerable.
The records suggest £36,950 but I do not believe
for one minute that these records were complete.
It was a significant business for a significant period.
There were no direct threats but there was a
degree of malice in the concerned terms. Offences
of this nature cross the custody threshold.”
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National Newsletter | 2013/14 edition Page 8
Westminster casino loan sharks who took items ‘as security’ sentenced
A married couple who operated as loan sharks at
casinos in Westminster, have been sentenced to
eight months in prison, suspended for two years
along with 200 hours of unpaid work following a
hearing at Woolwich Crown Court.
Winnie Mui Lay aged 47 and her husband Chee
Sang Chooi aged 48, of Gulliver Street, Southwark
pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to two counts of
illegal money lending and one count of money
laundering.
Neither held a licence to operate a money lending
business, nor provided any paperwork so
borrowers could keep track of loans.
When the England Team executed a warrant at the
couple’s home in February last year, a large number
of expensive items were seized including electrical
items, mobile phones, jewellery and watches. A
number of bank cards, post office cards, passports
and other identity documents were uncovered
along with documentary evidence relating to loans
which had been provided. Numerous text
messages found in Lay and Chooi’s phones
provided further evidence of the illegal business.
All of the borrowers were female gamblers who had
met Lay and Chooi at casinos in and around the
Leicester Square area. A majority of the borrowers
were Filipino.
Several borrowers told investigators how they had
borrowed from the couple and handed over various
items including their bank cards, passports and
other high value items ‘as security’.
One borrower, who told investigators she was very
frightened of the couple, took out two loans for
£100 each, agreeing to hand over her bank card
and PIN as well a Samsung notebook as security
and repaying at £10 per week. Her debt spiralled to
£1500, with weekly payments of £150.
Upon sentencing His Honour Judge Shorrock said
“For a year you were lending money and if it
remained unpaid it was at exorbitant rates of
interest. Because they were unsuccessful gamblers
they were vulnerable people. In many cases you
required security for the loans. People were forced
to part with possessions that meant more to them
than would have been the case to people of means.
“It is impossible to say how many customers you
had or how much you made...a prison sentence
must be passed to reflect the seriousness of the
offences, and show others the consequences of
following the same path.”
North East Wales loan shark Graeme Walker sentenced
Following an investigation by the Wales Unit,
Graeme Walker was sentenced at Caernarfon
Crown Court after pleading guilty to two charges
between January 2010 and November 2011 of
providing a pawn broking service and credit without
a licence under the Consumer Credit Act.
Walker was sentenced to 10 months in prison,
suspended for 18 months, ordered to complete 250
hours of unpaid work and pay £5000 in costs.
Under proceeds of crime legislation he was also
ordered to pay back £8161 and forfeit a quantity
of jewellery.
The court heard that Walker previously served a
prison sentence following convictions for offences
under the Trade Marks Act relating to the sale of
counterfeit autographs of celebrities and counterfeit
perfume as well as an offence of operating a
business for fraudulent purposes.
The guilty plea by the defendant avoided what
could have been a test case trial questioning
whether the terms of reference of ‘buy back
schemes’ that are not followed correctly are used
as a means of operating money advance schemes
while avoiding the requirement of having a licence.
Walker’s guilty plea related to the ownership of 3
shops in North East Wales, under the trading
names ‘Gold Star Jewellery and ‘Buy it, Sell it
Pawn it’ which provided credit using ’28 day buy
back agreements’.
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National Newsletter | 2013/14 edition Page 9
(continued from previous page)
Graeme Walker was arrested in April 2011 and his
home was searched, evidence was collated
showing that Mr Walker had connections to three
shops in Connahs Quay, Buckley and Mold.
Following further investigation these businesses
were then inspected and evidence was seized.
The typical APR for the agreements from these
premises ranged between 3,229% and over
66,000%.
Widnes loan shark Stephen Wharton sentenced
A 30 year old man, who operated as a loan shark in
Widnes, was sentenced following a hearing at
Chester Crown Court.
Stephen Peter Hugh Wharton of Wavertree Avenue
had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of
illegal money lending, and four offences in relation
to the possession of Class C Steroids with intent to
supply. The value of the drugs was in the region
of £40,000.
He was sentenced to a total of eight months
custody for the illegal money lending and drugs
offences, additionally he was sentenced to 3
months custody for having failed to control his
Staffordshire Bull Terrier which attacked another
dog and bit it’s owner. The imprisonment was
suspended for two years. He was also ordered to
complete 120 hours of unpaid work.
The investigation and prosecution was led by the
England Team working in partnership with Halton
Borough Council and Cheshire Constabulary.
Wharton, who claimed benefits, was involved in
PSI Finance Ltd, an unlicensed and illegal business,
between September 2010 and the point of his
arrest in April 2012.
During a search of his home, substantial amounts
of paperwork relating to PSI Finance Ltd was
uncovered which showed at least 221 loans were
given during this time. A typical loan would be for
£100, to pay £140 back.
The Court heard how Wharton and his mother
targeted those who were on low incomes, and
unable to access credit from mainstream sources.
He provided little paperwork to borrowers, so it
was difficult to keep track of loans. The pair never
advertised the business and attracted new
customers via word of mouth.
Wharton’s mother aged 57 pleaded guilty to her
involvement in the illegal business and was
sentenced at an earlier hearing.
Convicted loan shark Narcita Mallari ordered to pay back £27,000
A convicted loan shark has been ordered to pay back all of her available assets to the courts, following a
financial investigation by the England Team.
Narcita Mallari, 46 from Arran Close in Cherry Hinton, Cambridge appeared at Cambridge Crown Court,
where they heard she had made a criminal benefit of £27,000 through the illegal business.
She must pay back this amount within six months or face 12 months in prison. She previously pleaded to
two counts of illegal money lending and in June last year was sentenced to nine months in prison,
suspended for 18 months.
Her assets were made up of the equity in her home, and another which she owns in the Cambridge area.
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National Newsletter | 2013/14 edition Page 10
Courts and Enforcement Round Up
• Two people from Harpurhey, Manchester have
pleaded guilty to illegal money lending, money
laundering and benefit fraud. Thomas Kiely and
his partner Caroline Lewis will be sentenced at a
later date.
• Court proceeds are ongoing in relation to other
cases in Manchester, the Wirral and Leeds.
• Enquiries are ongoing following arrests in
Cumbria, the Wirral, Durham, Worcestershire,
Suffolk, Oldham, Cambridge, Sunderland,
Staffordshire, Leeds, Nottinghamshire, Stockton,
Kent, Gateshead, Liverpool, Lancashire, East
London, Wolverhampton and Birmingham.
Ministers Visit
Consumer Minister Jo Swinson visited representatives from the England
Team in Enfield as local agencies gathered to sign a zero tolerance pledge
against loan sharks. The minister also presented Enfield Trading Standards
with the National Stop Loan Sharks award in recognition of their outstanding
awareness work.
Enfield Charter Signing
The Stop Loan Sharks Awards were held for the second time this year to
recognise those who had made a real impact. Nine regional winners were
chosen and entered into an online vote, in which the public choose Enfield
Trading Standards as the national winner receiving £1000 worth of proceeds
of crime money to fund further awareness raising.
Your Choice initiatives
Winners in Norwich
Winners in Slough
Winners in Salford
Through the Your Choice initiatives more than £87,000 has been ploughed back into local communities,
through worthwhile projects. To date there have been 28 schemes funding a total of 187 projects. Local
community groups and agencies are encouraged to apply for the cash to fund awareness raising projects
and then the public are given the say in how the cash is spent, voting in public and online. Events have
been held recently in Slough, Salford, Norwich and Crawley with more initiatives in the pipeline.
24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222
National Newsletter | 2013/14 edition Page 11
Education Update
Teaching Resource packs are due to be completed this winter, providing an essential pfeg quality marked
package for teachers across the key stages, enabling young people to understand how to safely manage
their money. To request a pack visit
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/IMLTEducation
England Round Up:
• A scheme funded with loan sharks cash has helped South Tyneside school children to save more than
£142,000. Representatives from the Team spoke to primary school children during assemblies at 25
schools across South Tyneside with nearly 1500 of the pupils continuing to save with Bridges Credit
Union. The campaign which also reached parents and teachers was funded with proceeds of crime
money taken from convicted loan sharks in the area.
County Durham
The England Team joined with Durham County Council,
Durham Constabulary and a range of other partners for
week long campaign. Training sessions were held for
frontline staff and local community advocates, publicity
materials were displayed throughout communities and
representatives from the Team attended a range of
events to offer information and advice.
• Drop in events were held as part of a week long campaign in Bradford in partnership with West Yorkshire
Trading Standards and West Yorkshire Police. Sessions were also held to give Police staff a greater
understanding of the dangers of loan sharks.
• In Portsmouth the Team worked with free service Advice Portsmouth to
raise awareness of the dangers of loan sharks. Staff at the service attended
training sessions with the Team finding out more about how they can
support and signpost clients who have been a victim of this crime.
• Representatives from the Team were out and about as part of a campaign
in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. The week included drop in sessions for the
public and training sessions for staff and volunteers at a range of local
agencies. In an incentive funded with proceeds of crime money those who
signed up to Lincolnshire Credit Union and continued to save for at least
three months received a £20 bonus in their accounts.
Lincolnshire
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National Newsletter | 2013/14 edition Page 12
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Manchester
• The Team worked with anti-social behaviour reduction
charity Mancunian Way on a week of action in the
Fallowfields area of Manchester. Representatives from
the Team offered advice at Moss Side carnival and attended
various events throughout the week including a football
session, a DIY session and Money Matters advice session
in partnership with a number of local agencies.
• During a campaign in Guildford, Surrey representatives from the Team, along with mascot Sid the Shark,
visited local shops, doctor’s surgeries, pharmacies, pubs, social clubs, post offices, the food bank and a
play scheme to advise on the dangers of loan sharks. Drop in sessions were held throughout the week
and officers from Surrey Police accompanied the Team as they visited homes to speak to people about
the dangers of loan sharks. Large eye catching banners displaying the hotline number were also placed
in the Park Barn and Westborough Wards.
• In Sandwell the Team worked with Pathfinders Healthcare Developments to
host a drop in event not only offering advice on steering clear of illegal
lenders but on how to stay healthy and make positive lifestyle choices with
an opportunity for MOT health assessments, free blood pressure checks,
referrals and follow up support.
Widnes
• In Widnes the Team worked with Affinity
Sutton Housing and Halton Borough
Council for ‘Sharky’ week, a week of
activities and events to raise awareness
of the dangers of loan sharks. Young
people worked with a professional graffiti
artist to create a mural as a lasting
reminder of the dangers of loan sharks.
Sandwell
• In Stockton and North Somerset schemes were launched to encourage taxi
drivers to save with the credit union.
• The Team worked in partnership with Derbyshire Trading Standards and
Dale Housing on a campaign focused around the Matlock and
Wirksworth areas.
Stockton
• The Team were out about in Staffordshire as part of the ‘Love your
street’ campaign with Staffordshire County Council, Cannock Chase
District Council and Chase Council for Voluntary Service.
Chadsmoor
• As part of a campaign in Manton, Nottinghamshire in partnership with
local trading standards and A1 housing, representatives from the Team
offered training sessions to frontline staff at various local agencies.
• Agencies in Newcastle met to pledge a zero tolerance approach to
loan sharking.
• A series of family events were held as part of a ‘Bite back against loan sharks’ campaign in Herefordshire.
• A month long awareness campaign was held in Torbay.
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National Newsletter | 2013/14 edition Page 13
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• A week long campaign in Great Yarmouth included a charter
signing, community drop in events and training for frontline staff at
local agencies.
Great Yarmouth
• In Swindon the Team held a campaign including drop in events and
training sessions. They also worked with Swindon Foyer which helps
people to build independent living skills on an awareness project.
• A week long campaign in Slough included a Your Choice event and a drop in as part of a Crime
Reduction and Environment Day.
• Events in Andover, Hampshire included money matters workshops, training sessions and
information sessions.
Scotland Round Up
• The Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit (SIMLU) was present at the Neighbourhood Watch Scotland
AGM on Stirling. The event was attended by over 50 members of Local Neighbourhood Watch
organisations that are based all across Scotland. Information was provided to every member that
attended with additional materials provided on request. The unit’s stall was very well attended with a
whole range of questions being asked on the field of illegal money lending.
• The SIMLU was present at the Retailers Against Crime Conference (RAC) which took place at Glasgow
Caledonian University in September talking to members of the retail trade in Scotland. Not only were
retailers from across Scotland and the North of England but members of Police Scotland, Store
Detectives and Local Authorities were also present at the event.
Statistics
• 300 prosecutions for illegal money lending have been secured, resulting in prison sentences totalling
more than 190 years.
• The Teams have helped over 23,000 victims of loan sharks including the most hard to
reach individuals.
• Over 11,000 staff at frontline agencies across the country have been trained to spot a loan shark, in
order to help support and signpost any clients who fall victim. (94% say the training will impact on
their day to day role)
To report a loan shark:
Call the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222
Text
‘loan shark + your message’ to 60003
E-mail [email protected]
Twitter www.twitter.com/loansharknews
Facebook
www.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject
24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222
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