Let vice-girls ply their trade (From Swindon Advertiser)

Let vice-girls ply their trade

PROSTITUTES should be allowed to trade in some areas of Swindon, according to a Lib Dem politician.

Coun Michael Dickinson wants prostitution to be decriminalised in some non-residential areas and will raise the issue at tonight's meeting of the full council.

But the Central Ward councillor would also like to see a crackdown on prostitutes who work outside those areas and increased protection for under-18s working as prostitutes.

He will ask the council to write to the Govern-ment backing his view.

He first raised the issue in September after he said he received a lot of complaints from residents who said the prostitution made their life hell.

He wanted prostitution to be decriminalised in non-residential areas such as industrial estates, but didn't want to name particular places.

"If police know where girls are working then they know what's happening and they could be given advice in one place."

At tonight's meeting Coun Dickinson will ask the council to recognise the distress that prostitution causes residents in the areas affected, as well as to commit to do everything it can to help people who want to leave the sex industry.

He also wants the council to recognise the link between drugs and prostitution within Swindon and the wasted lives caused by the sex trade.

He then wants the council to write to the Home Secretary and Swindon's two MPs asking for:

The introduction of non-residential areas where prostitutes over the age of 18 may trade

The introduction of health and drug workers within those areas which prostitutes will be required to see on a regular basis

Increased use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and other laws on any prostitute working outside the areas

Increased protection and help for under 18-year-olds involved in the sex industry

Increased work within schools on drugs, safe sex, truancy and careers to dissuade people from entering the sex industry.

Coun Dickinson's idea was backed by John McCue of Street Watch, which is made up of residents who monitor the activity of prostitutes in the Broad Street area.

Mr McCue thought there may be problems getting the prostitutes to go to the new zones.