The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43784251

There are, apparently, brothels operating with the full knowledge of the police. As long as the girls are kept safe, and not exploited, the Police will not close them down.

What do you think?

While I understand that people do have moral and ethical objections to brothels, and sex workers in general, I think that this is a good thing, and I think it should go further.

Brothels and Prostitution should be legalised. Then they can be licenced, and when they are licenced, the authorities can then start monitoring the girls to ensure they are not mistreated, that they are clean, and they don't rip off the customers.

After all, the industry will continue to exist, as there will always be people willing to pay, and if there are those willing to pay, there will be those who are willing to sell the act, and they may not have their girl's best interests at heart, after all, even if their girls are abused to the point they can no longer work or end up on heroin just to cope with their life, there are always fresh girls who can be exploited.

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

I agree completely. As long as the prostitutes actually want to be in this line of work and are not forced into it, I really cannot see the objection. It might even stop the sex trafficking in this country, just as legalising drugs would take most drug crime off the streets.

Prohibition did not work in the US, but it seems that governments have yet to learn the lessons of what became obvious a century ago.

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

You are right Prohibition was a complete and utter disaster in the States OB as there was a good series on PBS about it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohib..._United_States

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

It's long past time that prostitution was legalised and while it's not a service I'd ever consider it's a service that many use and get a benefit from legalising it takes it out of the criminal sphere which can only be good and I'm sure an enterprising chancellor would find a way to tax it.

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

Not sure many in the industry want it legalising because of the tax implications. Anyway the police are one of their main customers, so wonder they turn a blind eye !

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

Why should a member of the oldest industry in the world not want it legalised, get the protection and pay taxes?

The extra tax revenue would more than pay for the NHS!;)

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

I agree with each and every one of these posts.

As well as increasing tax revenue, many are claiming benefits too, which would be a further saving.

In addition, if it was legalised, there could be mandatory checks to prevent the spread of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.

There would still be an element that would make sexual services available on the black market, but I think that decriminalisation or legalisation would vastly improve matters overall. Customers would then be foolish to use a non regulated prostitute as they would be exposing themselves to risks such as blackmail, diseases etc.

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

I wonder if you could sell this to Theresa May? I think most can see the common sense in such a solution but there are too many politicians in the political parties who just can't bring themselves to agree with the principle! However, if TM promoted this, it would be interesting to see the reaction in Parliament. I think she would be doing a great service to women if she were brave enough.

---------- Post added at 19:19 ---------- Previous post was at 19:17 ----------

I don't think you are actually including the prostitutes themselves in that, Mr K! I think they would appreciate working in a safer environment.

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

Presumably you'd all be happy with a brothel opening next door to you then or is it just other people that'll have to put up with and deal with the consequences of this common sense idea

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

Most tend to use premises in residential areas at the moment, but it could be stipulated that licensed brothels must not be a nuisance to anyone in a residential area.

I'm not saying that I normally agree with prostitution from a moral point of view, but I think that a pragmatic common sense approach to the oldest profession in the world would be a lot better.

I know of a man who has a disabled wife who uses prostitutes for sexual relief. Without this, his marriage (and thus his caring role for his wife) may have come to an end. I also suspect that prostitutes prevent many cases of rape and sexual assault.

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

Well, clearly that would not be acceptable. These places should never be allowed to operate in residential areas. There would need to be planning controls to ensure that these places were located appropriately.

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

There are plenty of large stores closing down, empty shops on the high street etc which could be utilised as brothels.

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

I can see it now...
Brothels 'R' Us :D

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

Sex Toys R’Us...

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

:D:D:D

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

Where im living in Swansea theres a problem with prostitutes on the street corner. A number of us between 2 streets have asked police to move them on and nothing happens but ive heard off the record kind of thing the reason police let them operate is because they get information as to who deals drugs in the area.

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

With modern day prostitutes (particularly at the lower end of the market), drugs and prostitution often go hand in hand.

It's a vicious circle as they often say that they need drugs to be able to do it and that they do it to feed their drug habit. It's when those who use them intravenously share needles and have unprotected sex that the real problems begin...

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

Personally the daddy I wouldn't have a problem with one opening next door to me though given the size of our houses it would be a very small one and we already have two ladies plying their trade on our road anyway. Legal approved brothels would drastically improve the circumstances of the women and men working in the sex industry (yes males prostitute as well as women) and bringing the safety of legalising this sector of the sex industry shouldn't be impeded by nimbyism which does too much damage in this country.

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

I suppose we could ask Holland and Germany how it works for them?

https://fightthenewdrug.org/germanys...-horror-movie/

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices...-a8206511.html

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

The key to success lies in proper regulation, with strict licensing requirements and stiff penalties in place for pimps who force women to ply their trade on the streets, and with 'rehabs' for women who are prostituting themselves unlawfully.

There must be a well thought out regulatory environment and good enforcement in order for this to succeed, but with determination, I am sure our government could get this to work.

But will they even try? I doubt it.

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

Legalising brothels doesn't go down well with the Tory old dears at coffee mornings. However whatever politicians get up in their London flats away from the family, is a separate issue.... They need to put bromide in the House of commons tea and give them some real work to do.

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

Exactly, MP's are so hypocritical.

Examples include passing anti drugs laws, yet traces of cocaine have been found in their toilets, voting against gay equality laws, when it later transpired that some were gay themselves, bringing in the smoking ban, yet their bar is exempt ect.

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

Excuse me OB but please name any Government in the last 50 - 100yrs or more that has fulfilled this basic requirement.

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

I agree, I suspect that when voting, the electorate don't so much vote for a party, but for the least worse option!

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

None..

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

Yes MrK because only tory politicians use the services of prostitutes all parties are as guilty and none of them have the moral high ground on this issue sadly none of the parties have the common sense on this issue either.

Re: The brothels operating within view of the Police
 

I said 'politicians', not Tory politicians.