The latest statement from Avon and Somerset Constabulary on the topic of prostitution in Eastville has provoked a strong reaction from our readers.
The city's police force stated that sex work 'continues to be an issue' in the city, and that it is "a project which will require long-term work." A "dedicated police sex work team" will be carrying out patrols over the next few months.
This somewhat vague action plan follows the arrest of Tom Bright, 57, from Cotham, who was found guilty of soliciting prostitution. However, after posting the original article on social media, we observed a slew of support for the world's "oldest profession", with some urging the government to focus on making their working environment safer instead of outlawing it.
One user, Lydia Charis, stated: "Decriminalise prostitution and provide proper regulated areas where the women can get regular health checks, mental health support and be safer. Let's stop treating prostitutes as criminals, and start looking after them as human beings."
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Amy Lyra Smith presented another argument, she said: "Selling yourself isn’t a crime. It’s not illegal to do this. And there is no real “law” on it either. It’s the Soliciting in a public place that is “unlawful. Unpopular opinion… give these women a safe environment to do this that isn’t on the streets. Then the problem won’t be on the streets or causing a issue to people who don’t want to see it."
The vast majority of our readers demonstrated a desire for the police to simply "leave them alone". Overwhelming compassion for the sex workers in question was shown; some offered pertinent reminders for the public that it can be a personal choice, whereby others posited that the current government was only providing more reasons - such as the current cost of living crisis - for others to turn to prostitution.
"Probably trying to make ends meet in the cost of living crisis", says Sally-ann Harris.
Paulh Blackmore wrote: "With the cost of everything going up in price and at a sprint, there will be an increase in prostitution and unless this government stops playing smoke and mirror games there will be much suffering over above this. Oil companies CEOs have their increases and an told the city is too, not to mention MPs. Enough is enough."
Simon Emery said: "And now you've just told people who didn't know where to go, where to go. Well done."
Natasha Veater commented to say: "The issues are most of these poor vulnerable woman have slipped through the services cracks and have drug problems, until the appropriate support is put into place this will continue. This is really nothing new, been ongoing for years!!!"
Rob Fenton said: "Legalise it and make it legal for it to be able to be carried out in a safe environment it's not rocket science who are the government to decide what a woman can do with her own body as long as it's done safely then what's the big issue."
While Rosanna Stancampiano said: "It isn't the prostitutes they should be targeting, but the men who go there."
Ex-Eastville resident Sue Butler offered up her perspective: "I lived in Eastville in the early 80s until the early 2020s and there has always been prostitution in Eastville. The police have said the same thing all these years - nothing has changed and nothing will. It's just another report from the police that means nothing."
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