Sex Work in Edinburgh

Sex workers were strip searched and intimidated by police during raids on Edinburgh's saunas. Independent MSP Margo MacDonald said around six sex workers had made complainst of heavy-handed policing and claimed officers breached procedure by failing to issue receipts for confiscated items.

More than 150 officers pounced on seven saunas and 11 related premises in a major operation against Edinburgh's licensed sex industry last month.

The veteran politician, a vocal advocate of Edinburgh's liberal stance to sex work, has now sought an explanation from Chief Superintendant Mark Williams, head of Edinburgh City Division, amid plans to meet city leader Councillor Andrew Burns to determine whether the special status afforded to Capital saunas will be upheld under a single police force. In a letter to the Chief Superintendent Williams, Ms MacDonald asked:

Why, for example, was it considered necessary to strip search some women, but not all? Also, why was there an absence of the usual practice of issuing receipts for any confiscated articles?

I would welcome and expect an effective inspection template to be constructed from lessons gained from these recent inspections, and the decades of experience in Edinburgh.

A Scot-Pep spokeswoman said the charity was extremely concerned for the welfare of sauna workers who are increasingly frightened of potential violations of their rights at the hands of police officers.

This approach does nothing to enhance the safety and protection of worker's rights, but instead drives a wedge of fear and distrust between workers and services.

Sex worker charity Scot-Pep has supported Ms MacDonald's claims and said sauna workers had experienced extremely degrading treatment during the police raids.

Edinburgh massage parlours have been raided by police. 150 police plus social workers took part in the raid on 7 saunas and 11 associated addresses.

Police said 30 women of various nationalities were interviewed in relation to prostitution and officers are pursuing inquiries relating to several serious sexual offences. But in a statement, police said that arrests so far were related to drugs:

Three people in locations in Edinburgh and Fife have been charged with drugs offences, including supply and cultivation, and it is estimated that assets worth in excess of £ 500,000 have been seized. Large amounts of cash, electronic equipment and documentation relating to business matters have been recovered.

Edinburgh Council said it would act under licensing legislation if criminality were found after the investigations following the raids.

Update: Police criticised

9th June 2013. See article from scotsman.com

A large-scale police raid on Edinburgh's brothels has been criticised by a campaign group that offers support to sex workers. Scot-Pep, the charity set up to protect the health of prostitutes, said:

Scot-Pep are very concerned about reports we received from women involved in the raids and question the assertion that this is about keeping people safe. Is it safe to instil fear amongst sex workers of police and social services?

We remain extremely concerned as to whether this is a taste of things to come in light of the attempt to introduce a bill to criminalise the purchase of sex. We advise all sex workers to take extra precautions at this time.

Margo MacDonald, the independent Edinburgh MSP who tried to get a bill through Holyrood to keep Edinburgh's prostitution tolerance zones, said:

If this is a portent of a future change of direction for the management of prostitution, then we can only hope that it does not sweep aside decades of greater success achieved by Lothian and Borders and Grampian police in dealing with prostitution.

Saunas across Edinburgh were business as usual after winning the first major challenge to their trade for more than 15 years. Licences are usually renewed every three years but 12 of the 15 premises were hauled before the committee because the challenge issued was the same across the board.

Establishments throughout the city were granted renewed licences after the objector failed to make a good case. Main objector Mike Anthony had  claimed that saunas and massage parlours are actually illegal brothels and that the authorities turn a blind eye to the sex trade. He even claimed councillors on the committee would be allowing a crime to take place should they approve the licences. He told a packed committee room at the City Chambers:

I accept most of the councillors on this committee are new but councillors have been colluding with brothel keepers to this day. The council and police have reason to believe they are brothels and therefore operating as criminal enterprises.

However, after taking legal advice members of the committee, led by SNP councillor and retired firefighter Gavin Barrie, rejected the claims after the first hearing. He said Anthony had failed to supply any first-hand evidence. Barrie said:

The committee is not convinced there is sufficient evidence not to renew the licences. There is no evidence here, you just gave us a few websites to look at.

Prior to the decision lawyer Alistair Macdonald, representing Iain and Charles Haig, owners of Scorpio Leisure on Albion Road, suggested the objections against his client were of a personal nature and not concerning the way the business is run. He added:

I would suggest this objection is vexatious and not in bona fide good faith. You have heard there are no objections from the police.

It is an element of Edinburgh life that is hidden in plain sight. For years the city's sex industry has operated alongside businesses and homes in some of the wealthiest neighbourhoods without many being aware of its existence.

Edinburgh's licensed saunas, a discreet front for prostitution, are widely regarded as a pragmatic way of managing the sex industry. They sit side-by-side with shops and houses with little to suggest to passers-by that they are anything other than a convenient venue to enjoy a relaxing back massage.

Edinburgh's system is among the most liberal in the UK. Supporters of the system say it has kept many women off the streets and provided a safe environment for those engaged in sex work.

But this week 13 of the city's 15 saunas face a turning point. Their licences, which fall into the public entertainment category, are up for renewal on Wednesday and two objections have been lodged.

One long-time critic, Michael Anthony, has written to members of Edinburgh City Council's licensing sub-committee, pointing out that it is a criminal offence to operate a brothel.

It is well established that Edinburgh saunas are brothels, he wrote. It is a criminal offence to operate a brothel. Anyone assisting committing of crime also commits an offence. Accordingly, councillors cannot grant entertainment licenses, or any other permission to operate a brothel.

For now, the future of Edinburgh's unique method of handling prostitution hangs in the balance. The closure of all or some of the saunas would change the face of the sex industry. Councillor Joanna Mowat, a former committee member, said:

We don't look too closely at what goes on in properties that are licensed for massage. But we may be pushed to change if Mr Anthony has evidence.

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.