Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Loan sharks operating in Wiltshire will find there’s nowhere to hide.

Wiltshire Council officers have teamed up with a national specialist team to crack down on the problem.

Trading standards officers and the national England Illegal Money Lending Team are joining forces to stamp out the practice which can make victims’ lives a misery. In some cases the lenders will add additional amounts sporadically with a previous case reported in the UK being equivalent to 130,000%APR.

The team will investigate loan sharking and any related activity, prosecuting offenders through the courts.

Tony Quigley, head of the Government-funded illegal money lending team said:

'Illegal lenders not only rip people off with extortionate rates of interest but resort to the most despicable methods to enforce their debts. We are sending out a clear message that this will not be tolerated.

'We would urge anyone affected by illegal money lending to call our confidential hotline on 0300 555 2222 as we can help.'

To report a loan shark:

• Call the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222

• Text ‘loan shark + your message to 60003

• Email reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk

• Log on to www.direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks

• Private message on Facebook www.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject