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Planned System Maintenance - Limited Service

Sunderland City Council will be carrying out planned system maintenance from 12 noon on Friday 5th June until 7am on Tuesday 9th June. During this period, we will only be able to respond to urgent enquiries. If your enquiry is not urgent, please contact us before or after these times when full services will be available. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding.

Sunderland loan shark awareness activity

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: