Crackdown drives vice girls off Leith Links
News from a few weeks ago. I have just come back to the country and went for a wee walk last night and didn't spot a single girl. A few police cars driving around also. Where have they gone?
[url]http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=741&id=586102006[/url]
Tue 18 Apr 2006
PROSTITUTES have been virtually driven off the streets around Leith Links after residents' complaints sparked a crackdown by police and the council.
There are now as few as two prostitutes plying their trade on or around Salamander Street on many nights compared to as many as 16 late last year.
Two women have been handed Ant****ial Behaviour Orders following complaints they had repeatedly harassed and disturbed residents.
Several others have been given verbal and written warnings that if their behaviour continues they will be next in line.
The move has been welcomed by residents who complained that the prostitutes' drink and drug abuse, aggressive behaviour and the men they attracted to the area were making their lives a misery.
However, there are concerns that the crackdown has simply driven the Capital's street prostitution underground, putting the women involved in greater danger.
Rob Kirkwood, of the Leith Residents' Association, said: "It's more or less cleared up. There are very few girls around at the moment.
"It seems to be the same ones every night. It's strange that the police have not picked them up."
The ant****ial behaviour officers from the council have made women who cause a nuisance to residents their main target, rather than those who solicit discreetly.
The approach reflects a change in the law which is expected to be approved by the Scottish Parliament this year. The new legislation would place a greater emphasis on those causing a nuisance to the public, with men trying to pay for sex being targeted equally with women working the streets.
Since the police, council and social health groups formed a working partnership to tackle the problem late last year, two Asbos have been issued, 17 warning letters have been handed to women and five prostitutes have been spoken to about their behaviour.
Councillor Sheila Gilmore, who is leading the city council's bid to stamp down on ant****ial behaviour, said there was more to come.
"We are using these processes to try and get people to restrain their behaviour without them going to court. It's nuisance behaviour - not just being a prostitute - that we need to take up as a council.
"It's hard to predict how many Asbos will be brought. It depends on how women respond to warnings. But, if it's necessary, we will take action."
As well as warning the women about their behaviour, the council puts them in touch with agencies that can offer them advice on issues such as drug abuse and sexual health, such as the Edinburgh-based organisation Scotpep.
However, Councillor Marilyne MacLaren claimed the crackdown was endangering the safety of women.
She said: "All the council is doing is handing out Asbos. It's not solving the problem its driving it underground where the girls are at greater risk."
A police spokesman said: "We work very closely with various agencies when it comes to dealing with the issue of street prostitution, including the council, residents groups and support organisations for the women themselves.