Met urged to reinstate vice squad

One resident said women had been seen openly approaching men

Residents in south London are calling for the Metropolitan Police to reinstate a team set up to tackle prostitution in the area.

The vice squad was set up 10 years ago in Streatham.

But it was scrapped in May for financial reasons and residents now say kerb crawlers and prostitutes have returned to Tooting Bec Common.

But Ch Insp Neil Evans said there were more effective ways to stop prostitution in the area.

Attacked by prostitutes

Ch Insp Evans, who was in charge of the vice squad, told BBC News: "The effectiveness of a unit of one police sergeant and four Pcs was questioned by ourselves.

"The most effective approach to prostitution is using safe neighbourhoods because they have that local accountability, but more importantly a partnership approach.

I was knocked to the floor and they were kicking my stomach and they smashed my glasses Marisa Mann, resident

"It's about taking those vulnerable ladies, young girls, who are drug-dependent, off the streets and giving them a diversion."

Local resident Marina Mann often counted up to 500 kerb crawlers in an hour when the problem was at its height.

One evening she pleaded with six prostitutes to leave but they turned on her.

"I was knocked to the floor and they were kicking my stomach and they smashed my glasses," she said.

"My husband phoned the police and came out and they smashed a whiskey bottle over his head."

Amanda Austin, from the Streatham Mums' Network, said she was "very surprised" about the unit was disbanded.

"This area was notorious for prostitution, it was one of the things that Streatham was famous for unfortunately," she said.

"Surely it's obvious that if you remove a unit like that, it's only a matter of time before the problem creeps back."