Residents in Leeds are taking a bite out of loan sharks.
The England Illegal Money Lending Team have joined forces with West Yorkshire Police, Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Trading Standards to tackle illegal money lending.
The team visited residents living in Richmond Hill, Osmondthorpe and East End Park to speak to people about the dangers of loan sharks.
They delivered hundreds of leaflets to warn residents about the devastating impact loan sharks can have on vulnerable residents.
Figures reveal that an estimated 310,000 households across the country are in debt to a loan shark.
Insp Jackie Hawkes, who leads the Burmantofts and Richmond Hill Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Loan sharks intimidate and threaten what are often some of the most vulnerable people in our local communities.
“This won’t be tolerated and we will continue to support the work of the Illegal Money Lending Team to raise awareness of these unscrupulous individuals and bring them before the courts.”
Councillor Keith Wakefield, leader of Leeds City Council, said the city would not tolerate illegal money lenders.
He said: “We will not tolerate illegal money lending in our city.
“These individuals prey on the most vulnerable members of society, have a devastating impact on families and are a particular blight in some of our poorest communities. That is simply not acceptable.
“The partnership has already proved to be very successful and we will continue this work to combat any loan sharks trying to operate in Leeds.”
Contact the Lending Team, in confidence, on 0300 555 2222.
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