Only one person on Tower Hamlets Council’s kerb crawling education course has reoffended

Only one person who has been forced to attend a council education programme for kerb crawlers has reoffended, according to Tower Hamlets Council.

The Stop and Think programme gives people caught kerb crawling one chance to avoid prosecution by instead forcing the person to attend sessions which aim to prevent reoffending.

Kerb crawling is the practice of driving around slowly looking for sex workers in an area known for prostitution.

Of the 29 people who have gone through the programme since October only one person has been caught reoffending. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and an £85 fine.

Cllr Asma Begum, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Women involved in prostitution are vulnerable and often experience issues such as substance misuse, domestiv abuse and involvement in crime.

“This programme helps stop people from repeatedly kerb crawling and driving demand for criminal behaviour.”