Council's new partnership will help to prosecute loan sharks

Winchester City Council, which covers Denmead, Wickham, Bishop's Waltham and parts of Waterlooville, has pledged to help foster a zero-tolerance attitude to illegal money lending by signing up to an anti loan shark charter.

The signing was organised in conjunction with the England Illegal Money Lending Team to raise awareness of the problem and help locals.

The partnership will secure prosecutions and work with organisations in Winchester and the wider district to ensure people in the hands of loan sharks are able to access appropriate advice, affordable credit and other sources of support.

Winchester City Council leader, Cllr Caroline Horrill, said: '˜Loan sharks have become an increasing problem across the country, and more awareness needs to be raised to prevent people using them, and also catching and prosecuting them.'