KERB crawlers have been getting shock treatment in a police clamp-down on street prostitution in East London in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics. Drivers arrested while cruising the streets for prostitutes went on a course instead of going to court

By Linda Lewis

KERB crawlers have been getting shock treatment in a police clamp-down on street prostitution in East London in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics.

Drivers arrested for cruising the streets for prostitutes went on a course instead of going to court.

They got a wigging from two women probation officers on the one-day course being run in the East End about the impact of kerb crawling on themselves, their families, and prostitutes.

“The men came from all walks of life,” said Pol Ins Stephen Manger. “They included a man waiting for his bride to arrive from India and someone who admitted using prostitutes instead of having a relationship.”

The course run by the Safe Exit charity at Whitechapel’s Toynbee Hall is intended to shock the 11 drivers into realising the consequences.

“It certainly wasn’t a soft touch,” added Ins Manger. “It was nine-to-five, a full on’ day. They seemed quite shocked and most said they wouldn’t do it again.”

Police want more anti-kerb crawling courses before the Olympics being staged in East London.

Evidence from other Olympic cities shows prostitution increases with the influx of construction workers and the sports entourage. The Met Police wants a clamp down to make sure that doesn’t happen in East London.