Operation to target sex workers in Walsall continues
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- Category: Walsall News
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Police in Walsall continue to crackdown on prostitution and kerb crawling as part of their ongoing Operation Nominal.
Since the start of the operation in February 2011, 39 men have been charged with soliciting a person from a vehicle and bailed to court, others have been given official police cautions.
Police have also prosecuted a total of 168 sex workers for loitering and operating in the borough. The majority of sex workers have been referred to partner agencies with a view to addressing issues such as drug and alcohol addiction and housing problems.
Eight of the sex workers charged with loitering for the purpose of prostitution have also seen police apply for criminal anti-social behaviour orders (CRASBOs) at Walsall magistrate's court. A further three applications are also currently being made by officers. 20 of the Sex workers have been recommended for Engagement And Support Orders in an effort to assist them in changing their lifestyles.
PC Paul Fairhurst, from Walsall police station, said: "The operation to tackle kerb crawling and sex workers in Walsall will continue to operate and we hope that the results seen so far will add as a warning to any potential kerb crawlers not to come to Walsall.
"We will continue to target kerb crawlers and sex workers as this issue affects so many people's lives. We will always look at intervention methods with sex workers and will try to work with them to get them off the streets. The decision to enforce CRASBOs is not taken lightly and will only be used when other avenues we have explored with the sex worker have failed.
"The new rehabilitation scheme which is aimed at offenders has been designed to alter the views of people who solicit sex workers. If they are arrested and this is their first offence they are given the choice of attending the course or being prosecuted through the courts.
"If you are affected by this problem and would like to speak to us then please do not hesitate to call us on 0345 113 5000."
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