Community Announcements-2

NEW TEAM TAKING THE FIGHT TO NORTH EAST’S LOAN SHARKS

A new specialist team set up by the Government to crackdown on loan sharks in the North East has hit the ground running.

Consumer Affairs Minister Gareth Thomas said:

“The new team has 58 investigations underway into loan sharks. The total value of the loans being looked into is nearly £200,000. The investigations have started to lead to arrests and charges, with more activity expected over the coming months.

“This team is working around the clock to ensure that the credit crunch doesn't drive people from Newcastle and Tyneside into the murky world of illegal money lenders.”

Already:

A female from Middlesbrough has been arrested for illegally lending £10,000 over a 2 year period to over 50 victims, possession of Class A drugs and possession of a large quantity of counterfeit clothing. She is currently on bail pending further enquiries.
A female from Stockton has been charged with illegally lending over £20,000 to around 40 victims, using threats of violence to recover her payments and supplying Class A drugs. She is currently on court bail awaiting committal to Crown Court.
Another female from Stockton has also been arrested in relation to possible blackmail offences and illegally lending over £20,000 to around 40 victims. The woman is currently on bail pending a decision from the Crown Prosecution Service
A male from County Durham has been arrested for blackmail, illegal money lending and distributing counterfeit DVD’s. The man is currently on bail
Two males from the North East have been arrested for illegally lending £35,000 over an 18 month period. The two men, who are currently on bail, are also suspected of committing blackmail offences.

David Sayer, Chair of the team’s governance board said:

“Loan sharks who exploit people in the North East should start looking over their shoulders. We will see them soon. This team is committed to tackling these criminals through prosecutions, convictions, ripping up loan books and removing criminal assets. Anyone who is being preyed on by a loan shark should contact the team so that we can help."

The team can be contacted in complete confidence 24 hours a day on 0800 030 4210 or by texting NET SHARK followed by your message to 60003.

The new team is part of a national roll out that builds on the huge success of pilot anti-loan shark teams in Birmingham and Glasgow. Since September 2004 these two teams have:

· shut down loan books worth more than £7million

· helped more than 6,000 victims

· seized and confiscated £260,000 in cash

secured successful prosecutions which have resulted in sentences totalling over 33 years for illegal money lending and related criminal activity including assault, wounding, kidnapping, blackmail and possession of firearms
In Scotland more than 30 individuals have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal

Government’s multi-million pound investment means that there is now a specialist team in every region of England and in Wales and Scotland.

John Hutton announced funding for the new teams in September 2007. The teams became operational towards the end of the year after completing recruitment and other logistical arrangements.

Action’s Pioneering Sight Loss Information Service

Action for Blind People is an expert national organisation providing free and impartial support to visually impaired people in all aspects of their lives, irrespective of where they live.

Many visually impaired people aren’t aware of the range of support available in their area. Action’s mobile Sight Loss Information Service is a great way to reach these people in a comfortable and informal environment where everyone is made welcome.

Action has three mobile vehicles which travel to locations around the UK. The mobiles are packed with the latest aids, equipment and specialist advice for blind and partially sighted people. Our doors are open to anyone interested in or affected by visual impairment. Visitors are greeted with a warm welcome from our fully trained team who provide useful information about the latest products available: from talking clocks and vibrating bank note detectors to talking microwaves and tin lids. Staff are on hand to offer impartial, practical advice and support, whilst the mobile provides the perfect environment for visitors try out for themselves the latest technology and gadgets to improve daily life.

Working in partnership is key to the success of any visit and helps to provide a comprehensive service for visually impaired people. We recognise that by working together with fellow organisations we can extend our reach and help far more blind and partially sighted people than we can do alone. We value the expertise local societies can bring, and invite our partners to join us on the mobile to provide advice and support on local services. Where this is not possible, we are happy to pass local societies’ literature on to visitors.

Bob Welsh from Action for Blind People’s Sight Loss Information Service said, "We are extremely proud of the Mobile Sight Loss Information Service and the way it has informed people nationwide. This shows increasing public interest and awareness of the needs of visually impaired people. We hope to be able to provide information and advice to many more blind and partially sighted people, their friends and families all over the UK. Thanks to all the local societies who have worked in partnership with us over the years – we simply couldn’t provide this service without them.”

Last year our team gave advice and support to over 10,000 people, working in partnership with other service providers. In August we welcomed our 70,000 visitor to the mobile!

For more information on Action for Blind People contact our National Freephone Helpline on 0800 915 4666 or www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk

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