'Loan shark' pair arrested

A pair of suspected loan sharks have been arrested for assaulting, blackmailing and threatening to kill vulnerable borrowers who could not meet repayments.

Trading standards officers and police made the arrests in a dawn raid at a property in Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, on Wednesday, January 21.

A man and a woman were arrested at the address on suspicion of illegal money lending, illegal debt collecting, money laundering, assault, false imprisonment, making threats to kill, blackmail and for possession of criminal property.

The pair have been released on police bail while further inquiries are being made.

The warrants were executed by the Public Protection Project Team (PPPT) in a joint operation with Leicestershire Police.

Since the team was set up in December 2007, 15 people have been arrested and it has secured more than £135,000 of illegal money lender's books.

Anyone who has been approached by a loan shark or threatened as a result of not making repayments to a loan shark should contact the PPPT.

The hotline, 0116 217 9550, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and all calls will be taken in total confidence.