Police tracking 100 prostitutes
POLICE have created files on a staggering 100 working girls in Ipswich in the wake of the red light killings, The Evening Star has learned. The startling figure is made up of regular street walkers as well as women who will venture out less frequently to earn some extra cash.
POLICE have created files on a staggering 100 working girls in Ipswich in the wake of the red light killings, The Evening Star has learned.
The startling figure is made up of regular street walkers as well as women who will venture out less frequently to earn some extra cash.
Leader of Ipswich Borough Council Liz Harsant told The Evening Star she had spoken to police about their ongoing work but was shocked at the sheer number of women they had spoken to.
She said: “Police have files on as many as 100. They are not going out of their way to make arrests for soliciting.
“Instead they have identified girls who have come forward.
“They are not all on hard drugs and a lot of them slip in and out to suit their lifestyle. It's very sad.
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“That figure shocked me although the whole thing has shocked me. So many of them are so young.”
At the height of the red light killings it was reported that between 30 and 40 girls would take to the streets to ply their trade.
As the Evening Star discovered on a visit to the red light district there are many women working who will slip in and out of the trade when it suits them.
Heavy rainfall and wintry conditions, combined with the fear surrounding the killings, had a tangible effect on the numbers on the streets on the evening in question, with only three women soliciting.
Regular, visible police patrols also appear to have discouraged punters from visiting the area.
One sex worker, who braved downpours to tout for business at the junction of Portman Road and Handford Road, said the climate of fear generated by the killings remained.
Speaking as she cowered under a doorway to shield herself from the rain, the prostitute said: "I haven't been out on the streets for seven months.
"The killings certainly put me off coming back, it has scared everyone. But my daughter wants to do something at the weekend so I really need the money.
"I don't want to be here, I'm going to get the money I need and go home as soon as I can."
Another vice girl said she solicited as and when she needed to buy drugs.
She added: "I'm absolutely skint at the moment so I'm out to earn a few quid and then go home before I get soaked."
On Tuesday the Evening Star revealed that many Ipswich prostitutes are now travelling to Norwich because they are too afraid to stay in the town.
Are you shocked by the number of prostitutes in Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
