Two people have been arrested on suspicion of illegal money lending and money laundering following an early-morning operation in the Bordon area.

A 52-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman were arrested after officers from the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT), working alongside Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, executed a warrant at an address at around 7.30am.

Electronic devices and documents were seized during the operation.

Both suspects remain in custody and are being questioned by IMLT investigators. The street where the warrant was carried out has not been disclosed.

The IMLT works in partnership with Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Service to investigate and prosecute illegal money lenders.

Dave Benbow, head of the IMLT, said illegal money lending would not be tolerated in England and that the team would continue working with partner agencies to take action against those targeting vulnerable people.

He urged anyone who had been offered a loan and subsequently faced threats over repayments, had their bank card taken as security or found their debt continually increasing despite making payments to come forward.

Figures from the Centre for Social Justice suggest up to 1.7 million people in England are in debt to loan sharks.

Illegal lenders often operate within local communities and may be introduced to borrowers through friends or family. They typically offer unregulated loans without paperwork, adding excessive charges and sometimes using intimidation, threats or violence to recover money.

Warning signs include lenders refusing to provide loan agreements, withholding personal belongings such as bank cards or passports, taking possessions when repayments are missed and continually increasing the amount owed.

Anyone affected by illegal money lending, or with information about suspected activity, can contact the Stop Loan Sharks team in confidence on its 24-hour helpline, 0300 555 2222.

Support is also available at www.stoploansharks.co.uk, through live chat or via WhatsApp on 07700 102773. Live chat and WhatsApp are monitored Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.

The outcome of the suspects' interviews is expected to be known later today or tomorrow.