AN initiative to help victims of loan sharks "bite back’" will be launched in Malton.

Yorkshire Housing has teamed up with the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) and Community First Savings and Loans Credit Union to organise an interactive event to raise awareness of the dangers of loan sharks.

It will take place at Hope Central, Elim Ryedale Church, in Castlegate, on Tuesday, November 20, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

Victoria Cordingley of Yorkshire Housing said: “We all need to be aware of the real danger of loan sharks. What can seem like an affordable, easily accessible loan can quickly spiral out of control.

“Loan sharks prey on the most vulnerable and will intimidate, manipulate and trap people into a debt spiral. We want people to know what the risks are, what alternatives there are for managing finances, and how they can avoid being exploited.”

There will be a range of help, support and advice, as well as the screening of a short 15-minute film called Landsharks.

Malton people can also open a savings account which will benefit from money seized from convicted loan sharks.