Vice squad hit Whitechapel streets to curb prostitution

Published: 1:00 AM March 30, 2010 Updated: 8:16 AM October 14, 2020

FIVE people were arrested during a vice operation as police continued their crackdown on prostitution in London s East End on Friday. Officers swooped on Cheshire Street and Vallance Road in Bethnal Green, as well as Wentworth Street and Commercial Street

FIVE people were arrested during a vice operation as police continued their crackdown on prostitution in London's East End on Friday.

Officers swooped on Cheshire Street and Vallance Road in Bethnal Green, as well as Wentworth Street and Commercial Street in Spitalfields.

They arrested five people with offences all relating to prostitution, including outraging public decency, loitering and breach of an ASBO.

Three of the people arrested were referred to the Safe Exit charity, which helps women address the issues which make them turn to prostitution.

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Acting Sgt Brendan O'Rourke said: "Tower Hamlets police are increasing our patrols in the area. We will arrest both suspected prostitutes and their clients to make the area safer for those that work and live there."

The operation, which took place last Friday, is part of the build-up to a new Whitechapel Town Centre team being launched in May to help tackle anti-social behaviour.