The Wyre Forest Bite Back Team, a partnership between The Community Housing Group, Wyre Forest District Council, West Mercia Police and the England Illegal Money Lending Team, held a fun day at Birchen Coppice School on Friday 29 May 2015 to raise awareness of the dangers of loan sharks.

The event, which had a range of free activities for children including bouncy castle and face painting, attracted around 50 families throughout the day.  Advice was on hand from Citizens Advice, 6 Towns Credit Union, Wyre Forest Community Housing’s Financial Inclusion Team, Vestia Community Trust and Barnardos/10:32 about how to cope with debt and the different programmes available to help people get back into work.

Event co-ordinator, Helen Zinzan from The Community Housing Group said “we are so thrilled with the turnout and the response we have had from our earlier leaflet drop to homes and businesses in the area. I was approached by a local resident who had considered taking money from a loan shark but after reading the warning leaflet and talking to the team, she had second thoughts and now has an appointment to see a debt advisor to try and get her finances back in order”.

Jacqui Kennedy Head of the England Illegal Money Lending Team said “Illegal money lending is a despicable crime which causes nothing but harm to our communities. These lenders may appear to be offering a community service but borrowers are often forced to pay back far and above what they have borrowed and can afford. Many are subjected to threats, violence or other callous enforcement methods. We would urge anyone who has been the victim of a loan shark to report them in confidence on 0300 555 2222, as we can help”

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