A SUSPECTED loan shark has been arrested in an operation in Keighley.

The 49-year-old man was held yesterday morning on suspicion of illegal money lending.

Documents and a mobile phone were seized during the raid, which involved the England Illegal Money Lending Team, West Yorkshire Trading Standards and West Yorkshire Police.

The suspect has been bailed.

Tony Quigley, head of the Illegal Money Lending Team, said: "We will continue to work to combat loan sharks.

"They can cause untold misery to the most disadvantaged in our communities.

"We would urge anyone with information about loan sharking or victims of loan sharks to contact the team on 0300 555 2222."

Nationally the Illegal Money Lending Team has secured more than 321 prosecutions for illegal money lending and related activity, leading to nearly 205 years worth of custodial sentences.

It has written off £62 million worth of illegal debt and helped over 25,000 victims.