Birmingham-based anti-loan shark team praised for ‘trailblazing’ work
Nov 23 2009 by Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail
THE Birmingham-based anti-loan shark team that has taken the bite out of illegal money lenders has been praised for their “trailblazing” work.
The team was set up five years ago to help drive out the thugs preying on the poor on estates across Birmingham in a first-of-its-kind move.
They have proved so successful prosecuting some of the country’s most notorious loan sharks that the city team is now helping authorities across the country free hard-up families from the illegal lenders’ vice-like grip.
The specialist trading standards team was behind the successful prosecutions of ruthless John Kiely, 36, from Derbyshire, who built up a £3million empire charging impoverished clients interest rates of almost 2,500 per cent and Paul Nicholson who was jailed indefinitely after being convicted of terrorising clients and raping one in Greater Manchester.
Consumer Minister Kevin Brennan visited the team earlier this week and praised their work as he toured some of the Birmingham estates that once lived under the shadow of loan sharks.
Mr Brennan said: “The Birmingham-based team are trailblazers and are leading the fight against loan sharks.
“They have prosecuted some of the most notorious loan sharks.
“Their hard work has secured 37 years in prison sentences and saved victims paying back £25million of illegal debt.
“And the fight continues as they seek to claw back more than £9million in assets.
“This success is making a real difference to people’s lives and is helping to rid communities of these criminals who often prey on the most vulnerable people.”
The Illegal Money Lending Team was set up as a pilot in Birmingham in 2004 to cover the West Midlands, with a sister scheme piloted in Scotland.
It has proved so successful it received further government funding and now also covers the north west, south east, east of England and Yorkshire and Humber.
Nationally the Stop Loan Sharks project has so far helped more than 10,000 people, written off more than £30 million of illegal debt.
It has also secured more than 50 years in prison sentences and has on-going Proceeds of Crime proceedings for £10.5 million.
