A week of action is set to educate people in Malvern about loan sharks and help them to find safer ways of borrowing money.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT), known as Stop Loan Sharks, will be leading the Bite Back campaign next week.

Dave Benbow, head of the IMLT, said: "Illegal lenders are often well known in their communities and can target the most vulnerable.

“They can appear to be a friend at the start but once someone has borrowed, they can quickly become nasty, using threats and intimidation to enforce payment and charging high amounts of interest.

"We want to make sure everyone knows what their options are and where they can turn to for help if they have been targeted by an illegal lender.

“If you need any advice, keep an eye out for our mascot Sid the Shark and come and speak to a member of the team.”

On Monday, August 12, the team will be in Church Walk from 11am to 1pm.

The following day, there will be a loan sharks/scam event at Vale Community Hub from 10am to 12.30pm.

On Thursday, August 15, the team will be at Malvern Football Club Help Centre from 10am to 12.30pm and Clarence Park Retirement Home from 1pm to 3pm.

On Friday, August 16, from 10am until midday, they will be at the Octagon Centre Community Cafe and Pantry drop in and on a walkabout on the Brookfarm Drive estate.

Councillor Natalie McVey, portfolio holder for housing and poverty alleviation at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "I am pleased the council is supporting Bite Back Week and raising awareness of the dangers of loan sharks and illegal lending.

"When someone is struggling financially, they might feel a loan shark is the only option, however, there is support available.

"We would encourage them to contact Stop Loan Sharks and to also visit the ‘Support and Advice’ page on our website."

Signs someone might be a loan shark can include if they provide no paperwork, if they refuse to give loan information or if they use intimidation or violence for non-payment.