By Lucy Caulkett-
People who use or advertise prostitutes could be punished under new Redbridge Council’s new plans.
Redbridge Council is cracking down on those who put stickers promoting prostitutes in public areas or solicit prostitutes across the borough.
Soliciting prostitution is to be punishable with a £100 fine under public space protection orders (PSPOs) under offences include littering, spitting and urinating in public. Plans for the fine to be extended to other boroughs are underway, The Eye Of Media.Com has heard. The plans are positive, but this act is one the police should be handling.
The council is encouraging businesses and homeowners to contribute in a consultation about the proposal. It will be interesting to see how local businesses and homeowners respond to it, but most decent people will have no objections to the plans. In fact, they should call for more stringent actions against prostitution.
Councillor Sheila Bain, cabinet member for civic pride said in a statement: “We want our residents to feel safe and secure when they’re going about their daily lives.
“We can’t allow the issue of street prostitution to go unchallenged and that is why we’re asking residents and businesses across the borough if they would like us to introduce a PSPO to help us protect them.”
“At present, the burden of proof required to arrest, charge and get a criminal justice outcome in court for those seeking to buy sex means that specialist police resources are required.“The PSPO will instead enable police and council officers to fine individuals of up to a maximum of £100, if they believe they are buying sex either by approaching in a vehicle or on foot.“This will have an immediate impact on the perpetrator while keeping officers out on the street maintaining a strong enforcement presence.”
The consultation runs until Sunday, March 11.
Prostitution is a vile practice that should always be condemned. Those who engage in prostitution or condone it are morally wayward without any true sense of dignity or standards. Prostitution is a deplorable practice that should really be punished by a jail sentence. The legal consequences for prostitution vary from country to country with some countries permitting it and others making it illegal. One fact of common sense is that prostitution should be illegal everywhere. The fact there are brothels that operate freely I many parts of the world is a shame on humanity. These shameless individuals who exploit themselves and others should be put out of business and caged. The plan to punish those who use or advertise prostitutes is good, but not enough.