30-04-2025
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.
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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.'
