Dalston police op targets kerb crawlers
Police target kerb crawlers in op - Credit: Archant
Two licensed taxi drivers could lose their licenses following a police op to target kerb crawlers in Dalston.
Complaints from residents about antisocial behaviour and prostitution prompted the police to carry out the operation.
Police from Hackney and Islington were joined by immigration officers from the Border Force for an overnight operation in Shacklewell Lane.
Two officers posed as prostitutes during the crack-down, which involved a total of 33 officers.
Hackney’s lead officer for vice crimes, Sgt Richard Berns, explained: “Our long-term aim is to make street prostitution unviable by taking the money out of the equation – if there is no economic reason for the activity, the prostitutes will stop doing it.
“This work is only one part of our continuing strategy to reduce street vice by targeting the users of these vulnerable women.
“These kinds of operations not only serve to reduce crime but are important in building and maintaining relationships with our partners and the wider local community.
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“After each operation, we leaflet-drop the area to ensure residents are kept up to date with the work we do for them.”
Of the 11 men arrested that evening, nine were detained for kerb crawling, one for immigration offences – he was taken to a detention centre – and one for drink driving and for driving while disqualified.
Among those arrested were two taxi drivers whose details have been passed to Transport for London, meaning that they could lose their licences to work in the cab trade. Police also seized two vehicles.
Of those arrested for kerb crawling, three were charged, three cautioned and three bailed to attend a diversion course who must also pay £200 to NHS Open Doors, which will use the money to divert women away from prostitution.
