Loan shark suspect arrested in West Midlands
A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of illegal money lending following an operation in Birmingham early today.
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The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) worked in partnership with officers from West Midlands Police to execute warrants at two addresses in the Alum Rock and Stechford areas. The arrest was made at the Stechford address.
Officers seized cash and a mobile phone, and the suspect was taken into custody to be questioned by IMLT investigators.
The IMLT, a national organisation hosted by Birmingham City Council, works in partnership with Birmingham Trading Standards Service to investigate and prosecute illegal money lenders.
Dave Benbow, head of the IMLT, said: “Illegal money lending will not be tolerated in England, and we work with our partners across the country to take action against those who blight our communities in this way.
“If you have been offered a loan, but then been threatened when you couldn’t pay, had your bank card taken from you as security or if what you owe keeps growing even though you are making payments, then you may well have been targeted. If you, or anyone you know, has experienced any of these things then contact our team in complete confidence.”
There are up to 1.08 million people in debt to loan sharks in England, according to figures from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ).
Anyone who has been affected by illegal money lending should call the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 confidential helpline on 0300 555 2222 or access support online at stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat is available on the website from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
