Residents in Milton Keynes can attend a free summer programme of drop-in events offering advice on illegal money lending, safer financial options and confidential support.
The sessions run across June and July at community locations including Lidl Bletchley, Water Hall Larder, Lidl Blakelands, Rainbows Larder, Wolverton Library and Springfield Larder. They are aimed at anyone worried about finances, anyone who thinks they may have been affected by a loan shark, or residents who want to understand the warning signs before problems escalate.
The programme is being delivered through Operation Sharknet, with Milton Keynes City Council working alongside the England Illegal Money Lending Team, Thames Valley Police, SOFEA Community Larder and Acorn Community Bank.
Free drop-in support across Milton Keynes
No booking requirement was listed by the council. The events are described as drop-in sessions, with advisors available to speak to residents in local settings rather than expecting people to seek help through formal appointments.
The first event took place on Wednesday 3 June at Lidl in Brooklands, where Cllr Saleena Raja, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, joined partners and the Stop Loan Sharks mascot to raise awareness.
The remaining programme continues through July, with sessions scheduled at supermarkets, libraries, community larders and selected neighbourhood walkabout locations.
| Date | Sessions |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 3 June | Lidl foyer, Bletchley, 10.30am-1pm; Water Hall Larder, Fern Grove, Bletchley, 1.30pm-3.30pm; walkabout at Fern Grove, Melfort Drive and Torridon Close, 1.30pm-2.30pm |
| Monday 13 July | Lidl foyer, Blakelands, 10.30am-1pm; Rainbows Larder, Pepper Hill School, Kingsfold, 1.30pm-3.30pm; walkabout at Bekanscot Court and Runnymede, Giffard Park, 1.30pm-2.30pm |
| Tuesday 14 July | Lidl foyer and Wolverton Library, 10.30am-1pm; drop-in at Wolverton Library, 2.30pm-3.30pm; walkabout at St George’s Way, Green Lane and Moon Street, 1.30pm-2.30pm |
| Wednesday 15 July | Springfield Larder, Springfield Boulevard, 2pm-4pm |
Advice on warning signs and safer options
The sessions are designed to help residents recognise illegal lending and find loan shark support before debt becomes harder to manage. Advisors will explain the warning signs of loan sharks and highlight safer, more affordable options.
Illegal money lenders often operate outside regulated lending rules and may target people under financial pressure. The council’s source material frames the events as a way to bring advice into neighbourhoods where residents already shop, use community larders or visit local services.
Cllr Saleena Raja said financial pressure can affect anyone and that loan sharks often target people when they are vulnerable. She said the sessions are intended to show residents that support is available and encouraged anyone concerned, or anyone wanting to understand their options, to come along and speak with advisors.
Who should attend this summer programme
The events are open to the general public. The clearest audience is anyone in Milton Keynes who is worried about borrowing, concerned about repayment pressure, or unsure whether a lender is operating legally.
Residents do not need to be in crisis to attend. The programme also covers prevention: learning how illegal lenders behave, what support routes exist, and where to go if someone in a household or community may already be affected.
The council said support is being provided by partners including the England Illegal Money Lending Team, Thames Valley Police, SOFEA Community Larder and Acorn Community Bank. That mix means the sessions are not only about reporting illegal lending; they also point residents toward practical advice and safer financial choices.
Confidential help is available at any time
The England Illegal Money Lending Team has been operating since 2004. According to the council, it has secured around 434 successful prosecutions, with illegal lenders sentenced to more than 618 years in prison. More than £92 million in illegal debt has been written off, and around 33,000 borrowers have been supported.
Anyone affected by illegal money lending is encouraged to seek help confidentially. Support is available 24/7 by calling 0300 555 2222, using live chat through the Stop Loan Sharks website, or contacting the team by WhatsApp on 07700 102773.
Source: Milton Keynes City Council
Source check Source trail
This article was prepared from Milton Keynes City Council's published event notice and kept to the listed dates, venues, partners and support contacts.
- Checked the event schedule against the listed June and July session dates.
- Kept the cost and entry status to the source-backed description of free drop-in sessions.
- Used only named partner organisations provided in the council notice.
- Included the confidential support contacts stated in the source text.
- Source
- Milton Keynes City Council
- Scope
- Milton Keynes
- Updated
- 2026-06-04 00:47
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