Arrests after police blitz on Walsall's red light district

Detectives flooded the streets of Walsall's red light district as part of a major crackdown on prostitution in the town.

Two suspected sex workers were arrested for loitering during last night's operation as more than 20 officers on foot and in marked and unmarked cars scoured prostitution hotspots in Caldmore, Pleck and Palfrey.

The two have since been charged with loitering and were today due to appear at Walsall Magistrates Court.

The clampdown comes 18 months into Walsall police's Operation Nominal, which has already seen more than 120 cars stopped on suspicion of kerb-crawling and three confiscated vehicles sent to the crusher.

Detectives said that despite continuing problems with women plying for trade in roads including Wednesbury Road, Tasker Street, Regal Drive and Darlaston Road, they are determined to rid the area of prostitution and associated problems.

Sgt Richard Jacques, who is heading the crackdown, said he hoped their efforts were already having an impact.

"We are keen to show a degree of persistence, because it is an issue that affects so many people's lives," he said.

"It may have been a problem for a long time, but our job is to challenge the perception that this will always exist in Walsall."

Also taking in part in last night's blitz were officers from the force's traffic unit, as well as a drug sniffer dog and handler.

Sgt Jacques said: "We take the view that the kerb-crawlers are just as guilty as the sex workers. But if we can crack the problems of sex workers, then we can reduce crime as a whole."

He warned that his team would continue to carry out similar crackdowns over the coming months.

During last night's operation another eight people were spoken to by police for different reasons and one man had alcohol confiscated.