Two men were arrested today (Sep 10 2025) on suspicion of illegal money lending following early-morning operations in the Tameside and Cheshire East areas.
The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) worked in partnership with officers from Greater Manchester Police and Cheshire Police to execute warrants at two addresses in the Hyde and Handforth areas.
Officers seized two mobile phones at one address and cash and documentation at the other address. The two suspects, aged 46 and 27, were taken into custody to be questioned by IMLT investigators. One has since been bailed.
The IMLT works in partnership with Tameside Borough Council and Cheshire East Council trading standards services 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 partners across the country to take action against those who blight our communities in this way.
“If you’ve been offered a loan, been threatened or intimidated when you couldn’t pay, had a bank card taken as security or if what you owe keeps growing even though you are making payments, then you may well have been targeted by an illegal lender.
“If you, or anyone you know, has experienced any of these things or has any knowledge of loan shark activities 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).
The signs of an illegal lenders include:
- Giving you no paperwork or agreement on a loan
- Refusing to give you information about the loan
- Keeping items until the debt is paid such as your bank card or passport
- Taking things from you if you don’t pay on time
- Adding more interest or charges so the debt never goes down
- Using intimidation or violence if you don’t pay
Anyone who has been affected by illegal money lending should call the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline on 0300 555 2222 or access support online at www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat is available on the website from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
