Council Continues Drive To Combat Loan Sharks + Debt

February 1, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Council continues drive to combat loan sharks and debt

Thursday 28th January 2016

A project looking at the control of personal debt in Southend-on-Sea is underway.

The in-depth study is being led by a team of councillors from the Policy & Resources scrutiny committee. As part of the review, at its meeting on 5th January, councillors started with a presentation from the England Illegal Money Lending team about the fight against loan sharks.

The in-depth review will look at a number of areas linked to debt and follows a concerted effort by the council and its partners to raise awareness of the dangers of loan sharks and ensure local organisations work together to highlight the dangers of borrowing from a loan shark.

In July 2015 a local campaign was launched to reinforce the message that no-one is alone if they have already fallen into the clutches of these unscrupulous money lenders and that help is available.

Cllr Ron Woodley, Leader of the Council, says:
“Loan sharks operate illegally and often target the most vulnerable members of society, quickly trapping them into spiralling debt and then resorting to the most extreme and callous methods to get their repayment.
“Following the campaign launch and the signing of a charter, frontline staff from local organisations have attended free training sessions about the dangers of loan sharks, helping them to support and signpost anyone they meet in their everyday work who has been a victim of illegal money lending. I am pleased the scrutiny committee have chosen to look at debt as an in-depth study and look forward to seeing their findings.”

Cllr Mark Flewitt, Chair of the Policy and Resources scrutiny committee says:
“Debt and illegal money lending is a really important issue for the Borough as illegal money lenders are a scourge on communities, making life a misery for their victims. The in-depth study will complement the work already carried out to date.
“The committee will be holding a full day of evidence gathering on 4th February which will also include a meeting with stakeholders and a panel meeting to collate all of the feedback and agree recommendations to be put forward to the Full scrutiny committee, and Cabinet. We are all committed to ensuring that this study does not just sit on the shelf and that it has a lasting and positive effect into the future, with future councils tackling and taking the issue of debt seriously for the benefit of local people.”

Background:

The campaign involved the England Illegal Money Lending Team (ILMT) in partnership with the Council, South Essex Homes, Savers, Southend Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), Southend Association of Voluntary Services (SAVS), Age Concern and local statutory partners launched

An estimated 310,000 households across the country are in debt to a loan shark. The England Illegal Money Lending Team has so far prosecuted more than 310 illegal money lenders across the country. Many of these criminals have extorted cash from communities, leaving their victims with little or no money and living in fear.

To report a loan shark:

• Call the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222
• Text ‘loan shark and your message’ to 60003
• Email reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
• Private message us on www.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject (http://www.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject )