South Ayrshire Council News

South Ayrshire Council Trading Standards and Strathclyde Police are appealing to the public for help after allegations of loan sharking in an area of Troon.

Last month local rumours linked a serious incident in the Titchfield area of the town to alleged illegal moneylenders. In response to those rumours a new campaign has been launched called ‘In Too Deep? You Will be With Loan Sharks!’

A Trading Standards spokesman explained: “Operating without a consumer credit licence is a serious offence and illegal moneylenders or loansharks often use threats, intimidation and sometimes violence to keep their unfortunate clients in line. This campaign seeks to establish whether we have illegal moneylenders operating and also to offer people the opportunity to speak to our debt advisors if they have problems with debt.”

Councillor Peter Convery, responsible for Trading Standards issues stated, “I have discussed this matter with our Trading Standards Officers, Housing officials and the local Police. We are all keeping an open mind as to whether the rumours circulating locally that this incident has any links with illegal moneylending, have any foundation. This campaign is designed to establish whether we have a problem or not. Posters are being displayed in the locality appealing for information and give the Crimestoppers contact number as well as the direct line to the Trading Standards Scottish Illegal Moneylending Unit. Calls to either of these numbers are in total confidence”

Strathclyde Police Inspector Bob Smith, who is the Section Inspector for Troon and Prestwick said: “There is always the possibility that illegal money lenders or loan sharks will be operating in our communities in South Ayrshire. These people are routinely involved in other acts of criminality and operate their alleged businesses through bullying, fear and threats of violence whilst charging exorbitant interest rates. By working together Strathclyde Police and South Ayrshire Council will gather any intelligence that will lead to the detection of people involved in this type of crime and more importantly offer support and information to those who have problems with debt. If anyone has any information in relation to illegal money lending then please call your local Police office, South Ayrshire Council Trading Standards or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Councillor Convery also revealed that the Council had issued authorisations for Officers of the Scottish Illegal Moneylending Unit to work with local Trading Standards to conduct covert surveillance in the area. Councillor Convery said: “The Council will also be following up the ‘Loansharks’ campaign with a second stage to promote the local Trading Standards money advice and debt counselling service that could help those people with serious or unserviceable debts that might be tempted to use unlicensed lenders.”

In conclusion Councillor Convery said: “I want to reassure the Troon community and those of the wider area that the Police and the Council will do everything possible to ensure that there is no room for this type of illegal activity in South Ayrshire.”

Anyone with any information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where calls are free and anonymity will be maintained.

Alternative contact the Scottish Illegal Moneylending Unit on 0141 287 6655 where calls are in confidence and can be made anonymously.

For FREE debt advice for residents of South Ayrshire call Trading Standards on 01292 616060