Residents across Milton Keynes can attend free drop-in sessions this summer for advice on illegal money lending, debt pressure and safer financial options.
The community outreach programme runs from Wednesday 3 June to Wednesday 15 July, with sessions in Lidl foyers, community larders, Wolverton Library and local walkabout locations. No booking is listed by the organisers; residents are being encouraged to drop by.
The events are part of 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 advice sessions across Milton Keynes
The programme is aimed at anyone who is worried about their finances, thinks they may have been affected by a loan shark, or wants to understand the warning signs before borrowing money.
Advisors will be available to explain how illegal lending can operate, what warning signs residents should look for, and what safer, more affordable options may be available. The sessions are also intended to make support easier to reach by bringing advice into neighbourhood locations rather than expecting residents to seek help elsewhere.
Cllr Saleena Raja, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, said financial pressures can affect anyone and that illegal lenders often target people when they are vulnerable. She encouraged residents who are concerned, or who simply want to understand their options, to attend and speak to advisors.
For residents comparing local support options, Demoduck has also listed the Milton Keynes loan shark advice events with the same practical focus on dates, venues and confidential help.
Dates, times and locations
| Date | Session details |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 3 June | Lidl foyer, Bletchley, 10.30am-1pm |
| Wednesday 3 June | Water Hall Larder, Fern Grove, Bletchley, 1.30pm-3.30pm |
| Wednesday 3 June | Walkabout at Fern Grove, Melfort Drive and Torridon Close, 1.30pm-2.30pm |
| Monday 13 July | Lidl foyer, Blakelands, 10.30am-1pm |
| Monday 13 July | Rainbows Larder, Pepper Hill School, Kingsfold, 1.30pm-3.30pm |
| Monday 13 July | Walkabout at Bekanscot Court and Runnymede, Giffard Park, 1.30pm-2.30pm |
| Tuesday 14 July | Lidl foyer and Wolverton Library, 10.30am-1pm |
| Tuesday 14 July | Drop-in at Wolverton Library, 2.30pm-3.30pm |
| Tuesday 14 July | Walkabout at St George’s Way, Green Lane and Moon Street, 1.30pm-2.30pm |
| Wednesday 15 July | Springfield Larder, Springfield Boulevard, 2pm-4pm |
What residents can ask about
The sessions are designed for practical conversations rather than formal appointments. Residents can ask how to identify a loan shark, what to do if they believe they have borrowed from an illegal lender, and where to find safer financial guidance.
The source material says support will be available from community partners and advisors, with information on warning signs and more affordable options. It does not list any charge for attending, and the format is described as drop-in sessions.
The England Illegal Money Lending Team was set up in 2004. According to the published figures, 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.
Confidential help outside the events
Anyone affected by illegal money lending is encouraged to seek help even if they cannot attend one of the Milton Keynes sessions.
Support is described as confidential and available 24/7. Residents can call 0300 555 2222, use live chat through the Stop Loan Sharks website, or contact the team by WhatsApp on 07700 102773.
Source: Milton_Keynes Scraper
Source check Source trail
This article was built from the published Milton Keynes City Council event notice and preserves the listed dates, venues, times and support details.
- Matched the programme dates against the listed June and July sessions.
- Kept the cost and entry status to the source-backed free drop-in format.
- Used only the named venues, organisers and support contacts provided in the notice.
- Included the published Illegal Money Lending Team figures as stated in the source text.
- Source
- Milton Keynes City Council
- Scope
- Milton Keynes
- Updated
- 2026-06-05 04:32
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