Newham Recorder - Shop a shark campaign takes off

Newham Recorder - Shop a shark campaign takes off

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Shop a shark campaign takes off
03 February 2008
PEOPLE across Tower Hamlets were called on to report loan sharks at the launch of a high-profile public campaign designed to tackle illegal money lenders.

Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Consumer Affairs Gareth Thomas, launched the London-wide Illegal Money Lending Team, at Toynbee Hall, Whitechapel.

The team is part of the London Trading Standards Association, which will target its initial efforts on Tower Hamlets, Newham and Hackney.

The trading standards team in Tower Hamlets was instrumental in getting Government cash to set up this initiative, said a council spokeswoman.

Cllr Abdal Ullah said: "In the current environment where credit is increasingly hard to access, this scheme will clamp down on loan sharks who are looking to exploit the situation.

"I'm pleased that the council was able to play such an important role is securing the funding for this and I really urge anyone who has been the victim of a loan shark to come forward with information and seek advice."

The council's trading standards workers will provide support to the Illegal Money Lending officers through specialist investigations and technical support to track down loan sharks and charge them as appropriate.

Victims will also be given specialist help from the advisers at Toynbee Hall. They can call (020) 7364 6886, email sharkbait@lotsa.org.uk or text Shark Bait (plus message) and send to 60003. For more information, visit www.lotsa.org.uk