The England Illegal Money Lending Team is coming to Worcester next week to raise awareness about the dangers of loan sharks and keep families safe.
The IMLT, known as Stop Loan Sharks, is bringing Operation Sharknet to the area from Monday, September 21 to Thursday, September 24.
The team works to investigate and prosecute loan sharks and support borrowers across England and the week is part of its awareness-raising drive.
Dave Benbow, head of the IMLT, said: “We cover the whole of England but Operation Sharknet really helps us get into local communities and make sure people are aware of the dangers of illegal lending.
“Illegal lenders can be well-known within communities, often pretending to be a friend. But once they lend money, they can add huge charges and use threats and violence to make people pay them back.
“We offer free, confidential, non-judgemental support to anyone affected by illegal lending and we would urge anyone who has any concerns to come along during the week to talk to our team. If you can’t make it you can call, email or message us and speak to member of our team in complete confidence.”
Stop Loan Sharks is working with Platform Housing Group, Citizen Housing Worcester City Council and West Mercia Police on the week’s events.
Platform Housing’s director of housing operations, Lisa Fairlie, added: “We’re proud to support Operation Sharknet and the vital work it does to tackle loan sharks and raise awareness within our communities.
“These events are an important opportunity to empower residents with information, offer support where it’s needed, and work collectively with partners to protect people from financial exploitation. At Platform, we’re committed to creating safer, stronger communities – and this campaign helps make that possible.”
The team will be at the following locations:
- Monday, September 21: Dines Green – Outside Co-op Gresham Road / Community Centre / DJ Den – 12:30pm to 2pm; Honeywell Primary School visit – 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
- Tuesday, September 22: Tesco, Mill Wood Drive, Worcester – 1pm to 3pm.
- Wednesday, September 23: Perry Wood Primary School, leafleting and drop‑in – 8.30am to 9.30am; Outside Co Op, Lichfield Avenue – 10.30am to noon; High Street (outside Guild Hall) – 1pm to 3pm.
- Thursday, September 24: Oasis Primary School, leafleting 8.30am to 9am; Cranham Drive, Warndon, 9.30am to 10.45am; walkabout in Rose Avenue, Tolladine, – 11am to12.30pm; Rose Avenue shops, Tolladine – 1pm to 2.30pm; Hollymount Primary School, leafleting – 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
Anyone who has been affected by illegal money lending is welcome to attend any of the locations above. People can also call the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 helpline on 0300 555 2222, send a WhatsApp message to 07700 102773 or access support and a Live Chat facility online at www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat and WhatsApp are available from 9am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.
