Cookie preferences
Toggle search
Toggle menu

Sunderland loan shark awareness activity

Sunderland achieves Partner Plus status for tackling loan sharks

Sunderland City Council has been awarded Partner Plus status from the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT).

This is the highest level of recognition in the Stop Loan Sharks programme, awarded to organisations that take strong action to:

  • raise awareness of loan sharks
  • work in partnership across services
  • support people to access safe and affordable financial options

What we have done

We have delivered a range of activity to tackle illegal money lending and support our communities, including:

Raising awareness

We have run campaigns to help residents understand the risks and warning signs of loan sharks, including:

  • social media and local news coverage
  • shared resources to help partners promote key messages

We also delivered the "Kick Loan Sharks Out of Sunderland" week of activity, working with schools, sports groups and community settings to reach children, young people and families.

Working with partners

We work closely with organisations across the city, including:

  • community groups
  • schools
  • housing providers
  • financial services

This joined-up approach has helped improve how services work together and made it easier for people to get support.

As part of this, 36 organisations and council services signed a Partner Charter, committing to take action against loan sharks.

Supporting safer options

We promote safer alternatives to high-cost lending, including:

  • credit union incentives for residents
  • a payroll savings scheme for council staff through NE First Credit Union

Training and support for staff and partners

We are also supporting partners to build their knowledge and confidence through Loan Sharks Awareness Training.

This free 90-minute session is available face-to-face or online for anyone working in the community or supporting residents in Sunderland.

The training will help you to:

·        understand what illegal money lending (loan sharks) is

·        spot the signs someone may be affected

·        understand the impact on individuals and communities

·        learn how to help those affected and prevent future harm

The training also includes information on the specialist support available for victims.

Book your place on a training session: Loan Shark Awareness Training

How this supports residents and staff

This work helps to:

  • protect people from the harm caused by loan sharks
  • raise awareness so people know where to get help
  • improve access to safe and affordable financial services
  • make sure staff and partners can offer the right support at the right time

Sunderland City Council will continue to work with partners to raise awareness, strengthen support and protect residents from illegal money lending.

 

Kick Loan Sharks Out of Sunderland-Week of Action Recap (20-24 Oct 2025)

Sunderland is standing strong against illegal money lending! Our Week of Action raised awareness about the dangers of loan sharks and promoted safe, affordable borrowing.

Here's what we achieved:

  • Community Football Fun - £1,600 recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act (plus £500 from Sunderland City Council) funded new football equipment for Leisure United hubs in Washington, Downhill and Ford. Children took on Sid the Shark in penalty shootouts with support from the Foundation of Light
  • Family Support - Families received information packs, goodie bags, and digital resources, plus details of a credit union scheme to encourage safer borrowing and improve financial wellbeing
  • School Engagement - Pupils from Ashbrooke School enjoyed an interactive day at Sunderland's Fans Museum, learning about loan shark risks and gambling harms with support from Barclays and NECA Gambling service.

If you or someone you know is affected by illegal money lending, free confidential support is available: