BEWARE OF THE SHARKS
Campaign aims to highlight the danger of illegal money lenders
ORGANISATIONS in North Staffordshire have joined forces to highlight the dangers of loan sharks.
Aspire Housing has teamed up with The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT), Staffordshire North & Stoke-on-trent Citizens Advice, Ethan Lemon Art and the New Vic Theatre for the new Stop Loan Sharks campaign.
Loan sharks are unregulated money lenders who prey on vulnerable people and charge extremely high interest rates.
They often resort to using harassment, intimidation, threats and violence to pressure people into paying back loans.
As part of the campaign, the New Vic Theatre’s Borderlines department has created a drama documentary called #IJUSTNEEDEDCASH which will be toured across the region.
The partnership organisations will also be creating a city centre wall mural in Hanley and running a series of face-to-face and online events to highlight the risks of illegal money lending and to signpost people to support services.
Sharon Battiste, Community Connector at Aspire Housing, said: “The pandemic has resulted in difficult times for many households in our area, and we understand the pressures people face to make ends meet.
“Unfortunately, we’re also aware that loan sharks operate within our communities, and they exploit people when they are at their most vulnerable.
“By supporting the Stop Loan Sharks campaign, we aim to spread the message to people within our communities that help is at hand. There are avenues of support available, and using illegal money lenders should never be an option.”
Tony Quigley, Head of England Illegal Money Lending Team, said: “By working together, we can stamp out illegal money lending and protect residents from this awful crime.
“We continue to encourage people to come forward if they have been affected by this crime. You are not alone and we will support you.”
To report a loan shark, call the 24-Hour Stop Loan Sharks Helpline on 0300 555 2222 or visit www. stoploansharks.co.uk.