Supporting The Police

The England Illegal Money Lending Team, also known as Stop Loan Sharks, exists solely to investigate and prosecute illegal money lenders and support borrowers.

We work with all police forces across England, delivering information about illegal lenders and the legislation involved. We look at ways of raising awareness through partnership initiatives which help keep communities safe.

Illegal money lending can be seen as a civil matter.  In fact it is a criminal offence and one that often has other criminal activity attached to it such as blackmail, assault, fraud, and sometimes more serious offences like threats to kill, kidnap and rape. Our investigators find drugs, firearms and counterfeit goods when raiding suspected properties.

Our team is made up of specialist investigators and LIAISE officers. Together we support people who have borrowed from loan sharks while aiming to bring the offender to justice.  IMLT investigators have comprehensive Trading Standards powers including the power of entry and inspection of a suspected loan shark’s premises.

We work with police teams across the UK to gather and share intelligence in order to co-ordinate operations and raids. We have the power to seize anything that may be required as evidence in court. This includes documents, weapons, books, mobile phones and computers. Our team also includes seconded police officers who have the power to seize cash or drugs. Our officers are fully PACE trained and will interview the suspect at the local police station.

We also have a responsibility to those communities at risk from loan sharks, and the wider general public, to raise awareness of illegal money lenders.

Our team can deliver the following to any police organisation, free of charge:

• Officer input sessions to raise awareness of illegal lenders and legislation
• One to one support for people who are borrowing from illegal money lenders
• Publicity material
• Certificates and evidence of training
• Campaign partner sessions/joint campaigns
• Text for e-learning
• ‘Loan shark proofing’ policies and procedures
• Stop Loan Sharks screen savers

We can  develop bespoke community safety projects and campaigns with you. For more information on how the England IMLT can work with you to develop and deliver a range of resources, free of charge, please email Catherine.wohlers@birmingham.gov.uk

Encouraging People To Report Illegal Money Lending

Stop Loan Sharks needs intelligence to successfully investigate and prosecute loan sharks. We understand people who borrow cash from illegal lenders may be struggling with repayments and scared of threats and violence. Police officers dealing with members of the public are often in a position to gain the information we need to start investigating a loan shark.

How To Report A Loan Shark On Behalf Of A Person

Lending money without authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority is a criminal offence. Stop Loan Sharks have the powers to investigate and prosecute loan sharks.

If someone reports a potential offence to you, you can pass this information across to us through our online reporting form. You can also email a 5x5x5 to us at reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk or through a secure GCSX email address. Call us on 0300 555 2222 for more details.