Media coverage
Scotland Yard has been accused of endangering sex workers after it emerged that officers were targeting brothels in London’s Olympic boroughs as part of a coordinated clean-up operation ahead of the 2012 games.The Yard’s human exploitation and organised crime command (SCD9) was launched in April last year, bringing together expertise in the fields of clubs and […]
A police force has denied a four-year crackdown on kerb-crawlers has made sex workers more vulnerable to attack by forcing them to move on to other areas.Of the 52 men arrested for kerb-crawling in east Bournemouth in 2006, 18 were charged compared with the 17 arrests and a single charge last year.English Collective of Prostitutes […]
It’s not unusual to bump into customers in Sainsbury’s’Claire Finch The GuardianMost people would think where I live is the last place you’d expect to find a brothel or massage parlour: a pretty bungalow in a quiet cul-de-sac of a sleepy Bedfordshire village. But I’ve run one from my home for the last 12 years, offering massage and […]
By Andy McFarlanePolice searches evoked memories of the Yorkshire Ripper murdersThe discovery of the remains of a woman – sparking police searches in Bradford’s red light district – has brought back chilling memories of the 1970s.Back then, it took six years to find and convict Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper, for killing 13 women – […]
Preventing sex workers operating together makes them more vulnerable to attack – we need a more pragmatic approachThe laws governing sex for sale are clear – it is legal for one person to sell sex to another as long as elements including soliciting, trafficking, coercion and under-18s are not involved. However, if sex workers operate […]
Victory: Claire Finch argues that it is much safer for prostitutes to work in her home. By ANDREW LEVYBritain’s ‘antiquated’ vice laws were thrown into confusion yesterday when a massage parlour boss was cleared of running a brothel.Claire Finch, 49, admitted offering topless massages ‘with happy endings’ from her bungalow and advertised in local newspapers.Up to […]
A massage parlour boss who offered “happy endings” has been cleared of running a brothel from her bungalow.Claire Astrid Finch, 49, of Chalton Heights in Chalton, Bedfordshire, was found not guilty at Luton Crown Court of keeping a brothel for prostitution.She took out adverts in newspapers and on the internet, selling topless massage “with happy […]
A mother-of-two operated a brothel from her home in a quiet cul-de-sac employing around 20 middle-aged women, a court heard.Claire Finch, 59, is alleged to have recruited other middle aged women to work from her village home.A jury heard details of a website advert for “Claire’s massage”, which stated: “We aim to provide an impeccable […]
The English Collective of Prostitutes says a ‘moral crusade’ is under way based on the mistaken belief that sex workers are all controlled by criminal gangsJamie DowardAn increasing number of prostitutes who work from home, often for safety reasons, are being prosecuted, according to the organisation that represents English sex workers.The English Collective of Prostitutes […]
Recent legislation is further criminalising prostitutes but doing nothing about the reasons why they choose this workThe Policing and Crime Act came into force yesterday. Its anti-prostitution measures were put forward by government feminists who advocate the “Swedish model”.In 1998, Sweden passed legislation making it illegal for men to purchase sexual services. This was part of […]