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Search forMixed reaction in Bristol to new powers to tackle prostitution
Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 22:00
Paying for sex with prostitutes controlled by pimps is to become a criminal offence in England and Wales, following an announcement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith yesterday.
A man who pays for sex with a woman who has been trafficked or is under the control of a pimp could face a charge of rape, police will have new powers to close brothels and there will be more "naming and shaming" of kerb crawlers.
Fishponds Road is well known for street walkers and men picking up prostitutes in cars, but not everyone who lives there is convinced new powers will make any difference.
David and Veronica Webb, aged 26 and 25, live in the area. They say they regularly see women selling sex and that kerb crawlers have approached Veronica outside her house.
David said: "They are outside all day. It causes a lot of trouble, it's not just kerb crawling."
Veronica said: "There aren't any pimps, they're boyfriends. Women can get away when they want to. It's all drug related. The police aren't doing anything about it."
A member of staff at a shop in Fishponds Road, who did not wish to be named, expressed his frustration.
He said: "What if your family was going past, what would you say?
"What are the police going to do? They just get a warning. You need a tough law, otherwise it will be a waste of time. You need younger politicians who know what's going on."
Yesterday's Post reported the problems with the sex trade suffered by people living at East Park Drive, Eastville.
Residents have complained of sex workers taking customers to a former garage block at night, of pimps threatening people who complain and of sex and drug-related litter, including condoms and needles.
Tony Locke, chairman of the Eastville Residents' Group, welcomed any new legislation to address the situation.
He said: "Anything that tackles kerb crawlers has got to be a good thing.
"They also talk about residents' groups, and we used to do a street watch. Three of us would go out and report the number of kerb crawlers to the police.
"If they're going to involve residents like that I think it's a good thing. They're focusing on pimps but most of these girls are there because of drugs.
"In Portland Square they've had Eastern European girls brought in, there's not many in this area though.
"They want more resources put into the exit strategy, what they do when they leave the lifestyle.
"I live in East Park Drive – right outside my house used to be very bad.
"Further down Fishponds Road there is still quite a problem, especially for mothers taking their kids to school."
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