Freedom of Information: 138/15
What is the number of arrests and convictions that your force holds for the following two
offences over the last five years –
1. Kerb crawling
2. Soliciting (selling) prostitution in public
Please see the table below showing the number of arrests and number of convictions for the
offence of soliciting for the purposes of prostitution between 01 January 2010 and 31
December 2014:
The figures represent the number of arrests made (not individuals) during the period for the
following offences:
Year
Arrests
Convictions
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
47
22
15
49
68
3
4
4
12
1
Sexual Offences Act 1956 section 32
Sexual Offences Act 1985 section 1
Sexual Offences Act 1985 section 2
Sexual Offences Act 2003 section 51
Sexual Offences Act 53
One detainee may have been arrested for multiple offences. “Convicted” figures represent
the number of arrests resulting in conviction where known. Offences under section 51 and 53
of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 were not recordable pre 30 July 2012 and would therefore
not be on PNC unless the offender was also arrested for a recordable offence.
West Yorkshire Police recognises that individuals may become engaged in “on street”
prostitution (either as a prostitute or a kerb crawler) for a number of reasons, but we are also
aware that “on street” prostitution is only one element of such activities. Because of this,
and now for a number of years, our interventions have focused on addressing causal factors,
for example any underlying poverty, vulnerability or addiction, and in seeking to
simultaneously divert individuals from criminal activities and also safeguard them. Typically
this might see us working with other statutory partners and third sector organisations to
support referrals into support programmes. In undertaking these activities we also recognise
that “on street” prostitution activity can constitute anti-social behaviour and may impact
adversely on the quality of life of those who live or work in the areas where it
occurs. Therefore, we retain the discretion to undertake traditional enforcement activity
when and where this is the appropriate approach. However, we would normally regard such
enforcement activity as effective only as part of a range of measures to employ alongside
partners, or as a last resort to protect a community or the vulnerable.