Anti-social behaviour helper

Summary of the problem

Street prostitution causes nuisance, anti-social behaviour and crime and leads streets and residential areas into decline. Litter arising from street prostitution such as used condoms, needles and other drugs paraphernalia are a public health risk. Kerb crawling increases and often slows down the flow of traffic.

Car parks, play grounds and private gardens can become a focus for prostitution and common areas in flats like stairwells also suffer when nearby dwellings are used for prostitution and drug dealing.

Who can you report the problem to?

• Report the problem to your Anti-social Behaviour Coordinator, Team or local Neighbourhood Policing Team. Use our postcode search to find local contact details

• If you are the tenant of a social landlord (the council or a housing association), report it to your landlord

• You can also report the problem to the police using the police non-emergency number. Find your local number here

• If the situation is an emergency (if someone’s life or health is threatened) call 999

If you are unsure what to do or who to speak to, contact your anti-social behaviour team. Use our postcode search to find local contact details. If they are not directly responsible they will be able to help you to find who is.

What can be done about these problems?

The police and council will need to work with others to deal with the problems caused by street prostitution. For example, better street lighting, cleaning up, and action to protect the residents affected and reduce or stop nuisance.

• It is a criminal offence under section 1 of the Street Offences Act 1959 and section 56 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for someone to solicit or loiter in a public place for the purposes of prostitution

• It is a criminal offence under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1985 for a person to kerb crawl to solicit for the purpose of prostitution

• Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) can be used to stop nuisance and prevent perpetrators from entering certain areas

• Social landlords can use anti-social behaviour injunctions to stop nuisance around their properties

• In very serious cases, powers to close properties down (so called ‘Crack House Closures’ or Premises Closures’) can be used

These are just some of the measures available. Whatever action is taken, you should expect the council or the police to keep you informed.