Sex workers are ‘hiding from new CCTV cameras’ in city’s red light district
ANGRY RESIDENTS SAY STREET PROSTITUTION CONTINUED THROUGH LOCKDOWN AND POLICE ‘TURN A BLIND EYE’
STREET prostitution has “ruined” an area of Nottingham and is forcing many families to leave, residents have claimed.
They are now calling on police to take greater action in some of the biggest problem streets around the Forest Recreation Ground, including Forest Road West.
Residents say they have complained to police on numerous occasions but say sex workers are going out of view of new CCTV cameras or down alleys to avoid detection.
Megan Brown, 19, who works in construction in Forest Road West, has seen prostitution throughout the year and explained it happens all along the road, but is worse at the corner just off Southey Street.
She said: “Last winter it was worse. They’re here from 8am and always ask for money. It’s always the same people.
“It happens right at this corner all the time. They go down to Waterloo Promenade alley too.”
Resident Krzysztof Rutkowski added: “They’re always here every time I look outside. They’re down on the street outside my house every night. They were even here during lockdown – they didn’t go away then. They were still here.”
One resident, of Burns Street, has reported the issue a number of times and told the Post he has grown increasingly frustrated by the lack pf police response.
The resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “It’s an absolute pain in the neck. The police know but they do nothing. They turn a blind eye. I’ve reported it and nothing has happened, it really annoys me.”
He explained that the corner opposite his road was where prostitution regularly took place, which has caused families to leave the area.
He added: “Five or 6pm is prime time, right after rush hour. They stand right on this corner.
“There used to be families here, with kids, but they left because of what it’s like.
“They hide from the CCTV cameras to avoid getting spotted.”
Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said prostitution had been a long-standing issue in the area, but there were more problems officers should focus on.
She said: “I think there’s been prostitution on this street for the last 50 years so it’s not new, but a bigger problem is the anti-social behaviour from people.”
Chief Inspector Al Pearson, from Nottinghamshire Police, explained that while selling sex was legal in the UK, keeping a brothel, kerb crawling or exploiting sex workers was not.
He said: “We are aware of concerns raised from the local community about prostitution and associated anti-social behaviour in and around the Arboretum area.
“Officers from the local neighbourhood policing teams work closely with key partners on these matters and we regularly patrol the area and will continue to do so and where criminal offences are identified then those responsible are, and will continue to be, prosecuted.
“We are also committed to tackling the harm and exploitation associated with sex work and we take a victim-first approach with this issue, which is why we also work closely with charities and support groups to ensure women identified as being involved in prostitution can access the network of support available to them.
“Nottinghamshire Police has a good track record of targeting those who exploit the most vulnerable in our communities as part of ongoing operations and this work will continue.”
There is also a dedicated prostitution task force based at Radford Road police station which works closely with partners and the community to address issues including the exploitation and soliciting of sex workers.
He added: “They are a dedicated team specifically working in the Arboretum as we know it is an issue there. The team constantly works hard to address community concerns around sex working and will listen to any issues raised by the public. Our main priority is to make Nottingham a safe place for all to live and work and we will always respond to community concerns.
“That is why it is really important that anyone who has any concerns around the exploitation of sex workers and kerb-crawlers reports them to Nottinghamshire Police as soon as possible on 101.”