Stokey Bobbies Target Kerb Crawlers

Officers from Hackney Police and theMetropolitan Police’s Human Exploitation and Organised Crime Command carried out two vice operations in Hackney.

Lordship Park in Stoke Newington and Shacklewell Lane in E8 were the focus of joint operation.

The officers patrolled the areas from Monday October 11 to Thursday October 14, finishing with a result of 21 arrests.

As an alternative to a court appearance for offenders, Hackney Police will run a Kerb Crawlers diversion course in conjunction with NHS Open Doors.

Offenders with no previous conviction for kerb crawling or any violent offence are eligible for the course at a cost of £200. After successful completion, the offender with be issued with an adult caution and will be expected to sign an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement regarding their future conduct.

Sergeant Steve Wright of Dalston Safer Neighbourhoods team in Hackney, said:

"This crime is severely anti-social, especially for those people who live and work in the affected areas.

"People who come to Hackney to solicit sex are not welcome. We work closely with residents local residents and colleagues in the Human Exploitation and Organised Crime Command to arrest such people and deter them from kerb crawling in Hackney again."