NCJ Number
54401
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 52 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY-MARCH 1979) Pages: 48-56
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE NUMBER OF CONVICTIONS RECORDED AGAINST PROSTITUTES IN ENGLAND AND WALES SINCE PASSAGE OF THE STREET OFFENSES ACT IN 1959 IS EXAMINED, AND FACTORS INFLUENCING PROSTITUTION IN LEICESTER ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE NUMBER OF CONVICTIONS RECORDED AGAINST PROSTITUTES HAS GRADUALLY INCREASED SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACT. THE INCIDENCE OF PROSTITUTION IN LEICESTER IS HIGH, AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES HAVE COMMITTED CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES TO UPGRADE THE CITY AND CONTROL THE ACTIVITIES OF PROSTITUTES. ONE AREA IN THE CITY OF SPECIAL INTEREST IS AN AFFLUENT SUBURB. THE GRADUAL DETERIORATION OF THE AREA HAS OCCURRED AS PROPERTIES BECOME OLDER, AS SOCIAL AND CULTURAL AMENITIES HAVE FAILED TO MATCH THOSE OF NEWER AREAS, AND WITH THE VARIOUS WAVES OF IMMIGRANTS WHILE BRITISH-BORN RESIDENTS HAVE MOVED TO MORE DESIRABLE RESIDENTIAL AREAS. SOLICITING TAKES FOUR PRINCIPAL FORMS. SOME GIRLS OPENLY SOLICIT ON THE STREETS OR FROM DOORWAYS. OTHERS DO SO FROM OPEN WINDOWS DURING THE DAY AND ON WARM NIGHTS. AN INCREASING NUMBER HAVE A RED LIGHT IN THEIR WINDOW OR ROOM. ONE GIRL ADVERTISES BY PLACING A SIGN ON HER WINDOW INDICATING THAT MODEL SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE. SIX ASPECTS OF PROSTITUTION ARE CAUSING CONCERN: (1) PROSTITUTION BLIGHTS THE AREA (RED LIGHTS IN WINDOWS, SOLICITING, AND LOITERING); (2) THE HOUSING MARKET IS AFFECTED BECAUSE POTENTIAL OWNER-OCCUPIERS ARE UNWILLING TO INVEST IN RED LIGHT AREAS, EXISTING OWNERS DO NOT WISH TO INCUR THE EXPENSE OF IMPROVING THEIR PROPERTIES, AND BUILDING SOCIETIES ARE RELUCTANT TO LEND MONEY; (3) THE CITY COUNCIL OF LEICESTER HAS THE OBJECTIVE OF ENCOURAGING STABLE TENANTS TO LIVE IN HOUSING ACTION AREAS, AND THIS OBJECTIVE IS BEING FRUSTRATED BECAUSE PROSPECTIVE TENANTS REGARD PARTS OF THE AREA AS UNSUITABLE FOR FAMILIES; (4) CURB CRAWLING ADDS TO TRAFFIC PROBLEMS; (5) NOISE IS CAUSED IN THE AREA BY EXCESSIVE TRAFFIC, SLAMMING DOORS LATE AT NIGHT, AND LATE NIGHT PARTIES; AND (6) PROSTITUTION CAUSES GENERAL POLLUTION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. EFFORTS BY THE CITY COUNCIL TO IMPROVE WILL REQUIRE CHANGES IN ATTITUDES OF BOTH GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AND PROSTITUTES. REFERENCES ARE LISTED. (DEP)