Simon Alexander
Prostitution's being tackled with increased police patrols in Hillfields.
Since the 20th of August, over 20 prostitutes have been cautioned.
The area's been renowned for prostitutes for over 30 years, now the St.Michael's neighbourhood policing team are carrying out uniform and plain clothes patrols to target female sex workers and kerb crawlers.
Under the law if a person is loitering on a street they can be cautioned for prostitution. Once someone receives two street cautions within a three-month period, they can then be arrested for prostitution the next time officers see them.
Upon receiving their third caution, the sex worker is then put before court where they given an 'Engagement and Support Order'.
Partner agencies including SWISH (Sex Workers into Sexual Health) are present at court to offer support to women to leave the industry.
Lorraine Galatowicz of SWISH said: "SWISH who are part of the Terrence Higgins Trust are supervisors of the new Engagement and Support Orders, the main aim of which is to support those arrested for prostitution offences to address causes of their offending. This will involve finding ways to address addictions such as drugs and alcohol, find and maintain suitable housing, improve their health and support them to make choices about their long term future."
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