Edinbugh Tolerance Zone

A high profile organisation has called for a prostitution tolerance zone to be introduced. The Cockburn Association, Edinburgh's Civic Trust, has raised eyebrows after requesting the introduction of such an area in Leith.

The historic group, more commonly known for its frequent opposition to modern development, said a tolerance zone around Salamander Street would demonstrate an enlightened approach.

The suggestion was included in a response sent to city councillors about plans for a massive redevelopment of Leith Docks – due to be discussed next week.

Alongside concerns about the proposed layout of buildings and whether there will be enough green space, cases committee officer Yvonne Holton wrote: The area around Salamander Street has, in the recent past, been the subject of a great deal of debate on the issue of prostitution.

Surely there is an opportunity here for the city to revisit this issue with consideration given to the creation of a tolerance zone. This would demonstrate an enlightened approach and would address important issues before they inevitably arise.

Edinburgh operated an unofficial tolerance zone in the Coburg Street area of Leith for 20 years until 2001, when changes in the neighbourhood prompted complaints from residents. An attempt to shift this to Salamander Street led to further protests and the scheme was abandoned.

Supporters of tolerance zones argue they offer increased safety for women and allow medical and advice services to be provided.

Last month, police said they had seen a sharp fall in the number of calls about prostitutes operating in and around Salamander Street and Leith Links. It is thought the drop is the result of an increased police presence and a crackdown on kerb crawlers. New prostitution laws do not give councils the power to establish tolerance zones

Jim Hunter, the council's community protection manager, said: From a legal and enforcement perspective, (a tolerance zone] is not possible. There's also a community safety partnership approach we have adopted to encourage routes out of prostitution.

More than 30 victims of repressive law have been arrested in the Leith area and charged with trawling for prostitutes during the first year since new laws against kerb-crawling came into effect.

Residents say the legislation has made kerb-crawlers very rare in the area compared with a few years ago.

Sex workers have largely moved away from traditional haunts around Leith Links, although there are fears they have switched to Craigentinny and Castle Terrace, as well as other more isolated locations in Edinburgh.

Officers picked up 14 alleged kerb-crawlers in the first ten weeks since the laws came into force last October, and just 19 have been picked up since January. During the same period, police charged 19 women with soliciting offences in Leith.

But support workers say making kerb-crawling illegal – men risk a criminal record and £1000 fine – has seen the trade becoming more dangerous as prostitutes are forced underground.

Scotpep – the Scottish Prostitutes Education Project – says that some women are now handing out mobile numbers to potential clients in order to set up illicit meetings. The Newhaven-based group believes this new tactic has left prostitutes more vulnerable as they are meeting men in more isolated spots.