News from Sheffield Labour

Blomfield: Zero-tolerance on prostitution in Sheffield

Paul Blomfield, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Sheffield Central, has welcomed the Government’s announcement that it plans to make it a criminal offence to pay for sex with prostitutes who are controlled by pimps.

Mr Blomfield supports the introduction of fines and criminal records for first-time kerb-crawlers, and more powers for the Police to close down brothels and name and shame men who pay for sex.

The Sheffield Central candidate has also condemned Lib Dem Council Leader Paul Scriven for his view that an official red light area should be established in Sheffield and says such a move would increase the acceptability of paying for sex.

Paul Blomfield said:

“70 per cent of women involved in prostitution either work for pimps or are victims of sex trafficking, which is a modern-day slave trade. People must realise that prostitution isn’t a lifestyle choice but is mainly the result of intimidation and utter desperation.”

“We’re only going to tackle prostitution by changing attitudes towards it and these new proposals will be a key step towards this. Tougher penalties will cause men to think twice about paying for sex”.

Paul added:

“I was shocked to learn that Paul Scriven wanted an official red light district to be created in Sheffield. Where would he locate an official prostitution zone? Shalesmoor, where the zone was previously proposed, is now increasingly residential due to new flats.”

“Labour will not turn a blind eye to the exploitation of vulnerable women and the big problems that cause prostitution. More help should be given to women to help them leave prostitution through drug-addiction programmes, re-housing and education schemes. An official red-light district would just deepen the problem of prostitution and encourage people to turn a blind eye.”

Other news from Sheffield Labour

• Sheffield residents reject Council's Crystal Peaks plan - 17 March 2010
• Sport England provides £10m for 'Active Universities' - 12 March 2010
• Clive Betts MP hits the ground running for Sport Relief - 11 March 2010