LOAN sharks in East Lancashire are being placed in the sights of a crack team designed to curb their worst excesses.
County hall officials are set to sign an unique deal which will allow investigators from Birmingham to deal with illegal moneylenders in Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale.
Trading standards chiefs in Lancashire have always had the power to crack down on those who prey on the most financially vulnerable.
But an expert team have been piloting a new intitiative specifically designed to target loan sharks, and prevent more people falling victim to their tempting offers.
Now, following a deal set to be approved by trading standards chief Jim Potts and signed by Padiham county councillor Marcus Johnstone, the West Midlands outfit will be given the power to work in East Lancashire.
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