LICENSED brothels are not the solution to Ipswich's prostitution problems, it was claimed today. Kevan Lim, Labour Suffolk county councillor for the town centre, believes the suggestion made by a Mid Suffolk district councillor is "outrageous".

LICENSED brothels are not the solution to Ipswich's prostitution problems, it was claimed today.

Kevan Lim, Labour Suffolk county councillor for the town centre, believes the suggestion made by a Mid Suffolk district councillor is "outrageous".

Andrew Stringer, who represents the Mendlesham ward for the Green Party spoke out following the murder conviction of Darren Brown who killed prostitute Cara Martin Brown in Alderman Road.

Mr Stringer said: "This would bring us into the 21st century. This trade is on the back streets at the moment and while it's underground it allows women to be abused and angers residents.

"They are fed up with this trade being plied in their neighbourhood - who wouldn't be? It needs to be put in an industrial area away from residents."

But Mr Lim, whose area of responsibility covers the town's red light district, believes the comments are misguided.

He said: "I find it outrageous someone who represents Mendlesham, in a leafy part of Suffolk, is talking about brothels in the centre of Ipswich.

"Some of his suggestions are quite outrageous and show he doesn't understand the issues of the area.

"All the evidence shows licensed brothels haven't worked in other parts of Europe and I don't see why it would here.

"The solution is to find ways of getting the girls off the streets. A significant proportion are addicted to drugs and that's why they're in the trade."

Inspector Mark Lewis, of Suffolk police, said there is an ongoing intelligence operation to tackle street prostitution.

He said: "To try to tackle the problems, police officers and community support officers carry out high-visibility vice patrols to deal with prostitutes and kerb-crawlers, paying particular attention to target patrols in the residential areas.

"The main concern with targeting these areas is the problems can then be displaced towards sauna or massage parlours."

A spokesman for Ipswich Borough Council said it did not think a licensed brothel would be appropriate for the town.

Should there be licensed brothels in Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk