Latest news with #StevenBertram
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Daily Record
Men charged for soliciting as Scots cops launch crackdown on kerb crawling
At least nine men have been charged with soliciting in Dundee amid a new police crackdown on kerb crawling. Cops in the city have also been arresting and charging anyone attempting to purchase sex. Officers are focusing on areas known for on street prostitution and have been engaging with people involved in sex work to make sure they are safe and signposted to support from local partner agencies. It has resulted in nine charges so far. This new approach was piloted in Aberdeen, and is now in action in Glasgow and Dundee, specifically in areas where on street prostitution remains an issue. It will also be adopted across the country where specific Operation Begonia patrols are in addition to regular police patrols. Detective Superintendent Steven Bertram, lead on Prostitution, Police Scotland, said: 'Prostitution brings a significant threat of risk and harm to people and communities. 'People involved in prostitution, most of whom are women, are particularly vulnerable to violence. 'Drug or alcohol related issues, or poverty, can drive people into prostitution, particularly on street. 'Our approach, as demonstrated in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Dundee, focuses on safety and welfare, engaging with people and signposting them to support available from our partners, and hopefully reducing the risk of violence. 'This is about building trust and confidence in policing. It's about safer communities and supported victims. And it's about tackling violence against women and girls in all its forms.' Siobhan Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, joined Police Scotland officers in Dundee last night, Tuesday, April 29, to see the service's new national approach to prostitution in action. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Victims Minister Siobhan Brown said: 'I was pleased to visit Dundee to learn more about Police Scotland's new national approach to tackle demand for prostitution, Operation Begonia, which recognises women involved in prostitution as victims of exploitation and signposts them to local support organisations, whilst also challenging and deterring men's demand. 'This is an early outcome of our joint work with Police Scotland and this approach, with a focus on safety and support for those involved in commercial sexual exploitation, will help to contribute to better outcomes for victims as well as safer communities.'
The Courier
30-04-2025
- The Courier
9 men charged since launch of Dundee police prostitution operation
Nine men have been charged since the launch of a Dundee policing operation to clamp down on prostitution. Officers have been targeting areas of the city well known for on-street prostitution and engaging with those involved as part of Operation Begonia. The operation is part of the force's national approach to combating prostitution in cities across Scotland. Police and partner agencies are trying to identify and help disadvantaged and vulnerable women involved. The patrols also aim to tackle kerb-crawling from those looking to use prostitution. Three of these patrols have led to nine men being charged with soliciting since the operation began in Dundee in January. Superintendent Keith Duncan said: 'There's always been a demand for prostitution or services of a sexual nature in Dundee. 'Police officers are being tasked to go out in that area where we know prostitutes frequent in Dundee, which is a particularly small area within the centre of Dundee. 'We will go out there with plain-clothed officers and unmarked cars to look for the telltale signs of individuals looking to engage in the services of sex workers. 'We will engage with them, and if there's evidence to suggest they're taking part, we will absolutely charge them. 'In terms of the women and girls involved, we will look to introduce them to that sustainable pathway through public sector and third sector agencies such as WRASAC (Women's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre) and Women's Hub.' It is understood at least 15 women have been referred to partner agencies for support since January. Patrols have been carried out in Maryfield and Coldside, where prostitutes are known to frequent, including on Tuesday night when The Courier joined officers taking part in the operation. Detective Superintendent Steven Bertram, the force's lead on prostitution, said: 'Prostitution brings a significant threat of risk and harm to people and communities. 'People involved in prostitution, most of whom are women, are particularly vulnerable to violence. 'Drug or alcohol-related issues, or poverty, can drive people into prostitution, particularly on the street. 'Our approach focuses on safety and welfare, engaging with people and signposting them to support available from our partners, and hopefully reducing the risk of violence.'
