A vibrant new mural carrying a warning about the dangers of loan sharks has transformed a corner of a popular Wisbech adventure playground, thanks to funding made available through assets seized from convicted illegal money lenders.
The artwork has been created at the Spinney Adventure Playground, owned by Cambridgeshire County Council, as part of a wider Loan Shark Awareness Project led by the Fenland Community Safety Partnership.
Funding for the project came from the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) and was made up of money seized from convicted loan sharks through the Proceeds of Crime Act. The funds were awarded to Fenland District Council and used to support a range of community activities designed to raise awareness of illegal money lending and how to access support.
The mural, created by Street Arts Hire, now stands as a lasting legacy of the campaign, promoting the Stop Loan Sharks message to families and young people who use the playground.
The wider project brought together local partners including Cambridgeshire County Council, Wisbech Neighbourhood Policing Team, the Spinney Adventure Playground and local schools to deliver a programme of awareness-raising activities.
Orchards Primary School supported the campaign by displaying a Stop Loan Sharks banner outside the school for several months and distributing information to Year 6 pupils and their families.
A Loan Shark Activity Day at the Spinney Adventure Playground gave local families the opportunity to take part in arts, crafts and street art activities while learning about the dangers of illegal lending. More than 50 adults received information about how to report loan sharks, while children took home loan shark-themed creations from the event.
Meanwhile, Wisbech Youth Café welcomed Street Arts Hire to work with more than 65 young people and their families. The sessions encouraged discussions about the risks of borrowing from illegal lenders, with some attendees contributing ideas and designs that helped shape the final mural.
Following consultation with Cambridgeshire County Council and staff at the Spinney Adventure Playground, permission was granted for the artwork to be created across three former storage containers at the site.
Local families and young people were invited to take part in a community mural painting day on July 29, 2026. Working alongside professional artists from Street Arts Hire, participants helped bring the design to life before the artists completed the detailed finishing touches over the following day.
Dave Benbow, head of the IMLT, said: “This mural is a fantastic addition to the playground and provides a lasting reminder of the dangers of loan sharks, while also highlighting that help is available.
“We are here to support anyone affected by illegal money lending and offer confidential, non-judgemental support to anyone who needs it.
“Thank you to everyone involved in this brilliant community project. We hope it has brightened up a corner of the playground and will continue to remind people that support is available if they are struggling.”
The IMLT, which is known as Stop Loan Sharks, investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders and supports borrowers.
Many illegal money lenders are well known within their communities and are often introduced to borrowers through friends or family members. They are unregulated and give loans with no paperwork, often adding extortionate charges and sometimes using threats, intimidation and even violence if repayments are not made.
Anyone who has been affected by illegal money lending should call the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 free, confidential helpline on 0300 555 2222 or send a WhatsApp message to 07700 102773. There is also a Live Chat facility available along with more information on the website www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat and WhatsApp services are monitored weekdays from 9am to 8pm.
