Policing Prostitution

in Aberdeen in 2009
Inspector John Soutar
 Balancing Enforcement
with a victim based approach

• 239 ‘on street’ street women recorded

(2008/2009)
• All at varying stages of life
• All with diverse social problems (partners)
• Virtually all don’t want to be there
• The challenge is finding routes out of the
lifestyle
 Enforcement of Legislation

• Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982

• Section 46 which creates an offence for a
'Prostitute' to 'loiter', 'solicit' and
'importune’ any person.
• Court disposals – usually monetary
• Educating all Police officers to do the
same thing (but it depends) !
 Kerb crawler legislation
• Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Act
2007 – Sec 1 creates two offences
• Soliciting in a relevant place for the
purpose of obtaining the services of
someone engaged in prostitution and
• Loitering in circumstances from which it
may reasonably be inferred that the
person loitering was doing so for the
purpose of obtaining the services of
someone engaged in prostitution.
 The role of the Sex Industry
Forum
• Aberdeen Community Safety partnership -
One of the 6 Strategic objectives is – the
Sex Industry
• Provide Routes out
• Diversion from prosecution
• Multi agency assistance
• Can be a slow process – requires all forms
of intervention
 The Management Zone
• Illegal because of legislation
• Drive of city centre commercial
groups
• What does it achieve ?
• Associated crime and the need for
intelligence will always require the
police to be active in the area ?
 The Off Street Problem
• Perception of some that it’s not a problem
• Internet Escort Agencies
• One girl 6 x £150 x 20 x 12 = £216,000
• 239 victims ‘on street’ – off street ?
• £216,00 x 100 = £21.6 m economy
• Links to Human Trafficking ?
• Links to organised crime ?
 Commercial Sexual
Exploitation
• Internet sex for sale
• Escort Agencies
• Dating sites
• Recent cases – family woman from Derby
• City centre brothel
• Links to Human Trafficking ?
• Links to organised crime ?
 Questions

Inspector John Soutar

Grampian Police
General Enquiries Department
01224 306444
john.soutar@grampian.pnn.police.uk