A clampdown on prostitution in Edmonton has been launched by the Metropolitan Police and Enfield Council after residents complained about anti-social behaviour in a part of Edmonton.
The new clampdown follows previous work by the police, the immigration service and the council to disrupt soliciting in Fore Street, in which it was discovered that many of the prostitutes operating in the area were from outside the borough.
Following a meeting between Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Organisations and Culture, Cllr Yasemin Brett and the police it was agreed that police patrols would be re-focused in the area, known brothels would be targeted and residents would be encouraged to report prostitution and suspected brothels to the police so swift action could be taken to deal with them.
Outreach workers will also make contact with women working in the sex trade in the area, many of whom are eastern European in origin, to ensure that they have access to appropriate sexual health and other services in order to help them escape the sex trade.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Cllr Yasemin Brett, said: “Residents have told us that they have seen an increase in anti-social behaviour in the Fore Street area as a result of soliciting on the street and the presence of a number of brothels in the area.
“This is absolutely unacceptable and we have listened to residents’ concerns and will be taking swift and decisive action with the police to ensure we tackle this problem promptly. We need to tackle the anti-social behaviour, but also get these women out of the sex trade and into safer occupations so that both they and our streets are safer.”
Carl Robinson, Borough Commander from the Metropolitan Police said “We will continue our partnership work with Enfield Council to deter and dissuade individuals from becoming involved in these types of crime and will continue to undertake enforcement work in affected areas."
Residents who want to report issues regarding prostitution can contact the police on the non–emergency number 101 or can ring 999 if a crime is in progress or someone is at imminent risk of harm.
Anti-social behaviour can also be reported to Enfield Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour reporting line on 020 8379 4612 or by ringing one of the borough’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams.