Denise Meek LIAISE Officer England Illegal Money Lending Team

The Illegal Money Lending Team Trading Standards initiative, began in 2004 Trading Standards initiative, began in 2004 Hosted by Birmingham City Council Hosted by Birmingham City Council Before, over 20 years since loan shark prosecution! Before, over 20 years since loan shark prosecution! A dedicated, specialist team of 60 A dedicated, specialist team of 60 Investigators prosecute Loan Sharks Investigators prosecute Loan Sharks LIAISE Officers raise awareness and provide victim support LIAISE Officers raise awareness and provide victim support

What makes us different? Self contained unit – in house mobile forensics, AFIs, victim support Self contained unit – in house mobile forensics, AFIs, victim support Don’t use CPS to prosecute Don’t use CPS to prosecute Prosecute for all offences Prosecute for all offences Trading Standards team with embedded Police Trading Standards team with embedded Police

“Other” charges Money laundering, Drug possession, Intent to supply drugs, Possession of other people's property (passports), Possession of firearms/prohibited weapon, Affray, Criminal damage, Blackmail, Perverting the course of justice, Fraud - benefit Fraud and false representation, Acquiring criminal property, Concealing criminal property, Possession of counterfeit goods, Intent to supply counterfeit goods (DVDs, clothes and cigarettes), Deception, Rape, Kidnap and Assault

Identifying and Reacting to trends Taxi drivers Taxi drivers Private rented Private rented Men Men Filipino nurses Filipino nurses Older People Older People MOSAIC MOSAIC Female loan sharks……………. Female loan sharks…………….

Typical characteristics No credit agreements given No credit agreements given No receipts for payment or payment books No receipts for payment or payment books Most payments are cash and weekly Most payments are cash and weekly Violence and/or intimidation - threats Violence and/or intimidation - threats May suggest payments in kind to themselves or others May suggest payments in kind to themselves or others Often work alone or have a tight group of collectors Often work alone or have a tight group of collectors

Loan shark diversity The friend of a friend “pay me back whenever” The friend of a friend “pay me back whenever” The work colleague The work colleague The rented debt The rented debt The debt that is passed on The debt that is passed on The cage fighter The cage fighter The 78 year old woman The 78 year old woman

Victim diversity The single mum The single mum The company director The company director The taxi driver The taxi driver The chaotic lifestyler The chaotic lifestyler The working Dad The working Dad The Filipino nurse The Filipino nurse

Addressing the issues Using the full weight of the legislation available: Using the full weight of the legislation available: Consumer Credit Act Consumer Credit Act Proceeds of Crime Act Proceeds of Crime Act Theft Act 1968 – Demanding money with menaces / Blackmail. Theft Act 1968 – Demanding money with menaces / Blackmail. Injunctions and anti social behaviour Orders. Injunctions and anti social behaviour Orders.

IMLT achievements to date Over 290 prosecutions Over 290 prosecutions Over 2,000 more Loan Sharks identified Over 2,000 more Loan Sharks identified Over 22,000 victims have been helped Over 22,000 victims have been helped Over £40.3 million illegal “debt” wiped out Over £40.3 million illegal “debt” wiped out Over £27 million worth of assets being investigated Over £27 million worth of assets being investigated Prison sentences totalling 172 years for illegal money lending and associated crimes (plus Indeterminate Sentence for Public Protection) Prison sentences totalling 172 years for illegal money lending and associated crimes (plus Indeterminate Sentence for Public Protection)

General – LIAISE role Training – staff and community Training – staff and community Weeks of action Weeks of action Victim and witness support Victim and witness support Building relationships – generating intelligence Building relationships – generating intelligence POCA spend POCA spend Targeting organisations and developing action plans Targeting organisations and developing action plans

Any Questions ?