First injunctions issued in Lambeth's sex trade clamp-down » Local Government » 24dash.com

Three women who worked as sex workers in Lambeth had injunctions made against them on Monday at the High Court of Justice in London as part of a pilot programme to target the sex trade in Brixton.

A kerb crawler also agreed to sign an acceptable behaviour contract not to pick up prostitutes.

The injunctions mean that the three women are prohibited from entering the Tulse Hill and Brixton Hill Wards. A penal notice was attached to the injunctions which means that if they are breached the women will be in contempt of the court and they may face imprisonment or be fined.

Evidence considered at court included statements from local residents who have had their lives disrupted by kerb crawling and by the sex trade in their area.

Alongside the enforcement work, agencies across Lambeth continue to work with prostitutes to help them break the cycle, assist them to break their drug addiction and, in the longer term, find alternative housing, employment.

Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, cabinet member for safer communities at Lambeth Council, said: "This is just the first step to tackle the sex trade in the Brixton. Our primary aim is to cut the demand for prostitutes by deterring kerb crawling but we are also serving injunctions on others to send a strong message. At the same time we will also be working to help prostitutes make a fresh start."

Superintendent David Musker from Lambeth Police, said: "We're pleased that our tough stance to tackle the sex trade has been supported by the court. We'll be working together to implement these injunctions in a robust and fair manner."

One of the most affected roads has been Josephine Avenue and last week the council also reinstated a barrier at the end of Josephine Avenue, to deter kerb crawlers. A temporary barrier was in place last year while road works were taking place, and the reduction in kerb crawling was significant. Residents have since been campaigning for the barrier to be returned, with the result that it was put back last week for an eighteen month trial.

Local resident Tim Sutton said: “For the last nine years we have had this problem and we have been campaigning to get something done. We got the street lighting improved but we were still having the problem. Then about a year ago the water board closed off one end of the road and it stopped the prostitution overnight so we have been fighting to get the barrier back.

“Those people who come here looking for sex drive round in a big circle, so what this does is take Josephine Avenue out of that loop. Hopefully it’s going to stop people using our street as a brothel. It’s going to be inconvenient for people living here, but we have had years of having to put up with our front gardens being used for sex."

Nearly 250 street based sex workers are currently supported by programmes delivered by Lambeth organisations including Trust, Spires and Mainliners. Support agencies for sex workers in Lambeth offer comprehensive help for women from the point of street contact right through to settled accommodation and beyond.

For example, outreach services support women whilst they are on the streets, working hard to encourage women to engage with safe needle exchanges, healthcare clinics, substance misuse services, and court diversion programmes, help with accommodation and social support.