To receive an update from Chief Inspector Karl Curran.
Minutes:
Chief Inspector Karl Curran presented the update highlighting the following:
· Operation Boxster is a dedicated operation in the Fore Street area covering both Enfield and Haringey and has been a full-time operation since June 2020.
· It is an extremely complex matter which requires a long-term strategy and a partnership led approach to try and solve the problem.
· The presence of sex workers causes significant community harm and impacts on confidence in Police and Local Authorities.
· The presence of sex work is linked to organised crime, modern slavery, drug use, violence against women, public issues and anti-social behaviour (ASB) from clients’ behaviours.
· The presentation covered: background and history, changes in policing sew workers, operation objectives, targeting the demand, understanding the reason behind sex work, targeting the right people, working with partners and the blended approach.
· The reduction of sex workers can not be achieved by enforcement against sex workers by itself. Time and time again it has shown that arrest operations do not get to the root cause of prostitution and any reductions are temporary.
· Discussions on new working practices with all partners who provide outreach and diversion has taken place. This has led to a blended approach of enforcement and outreach work to encourage sex workers into diversion away from sex work.
· In addition to the work targeting the problem if street sex workers the unit is also a continuous presence in a high crime area of Enfield. In the last eight months the team has arrested 115 individuals for offences including indecent assault on children, controlling a sex worker, possession of offensive weapons, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and burglary.
· Operation Boxster has the highest arrest stop and search figures for a proactive unit on North Area. In addition to the above work the unit has been recognised as an example of good practice across the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).
Questions, queries and comments made:
1. In response to a query on the data, which seemed to show the same cohort engaging with sex workers of the same nationality members were advised that this observation of demographic profiles is recognised. The use of sex workers is very much linked to other criminality and organised crime and these areas are where the targeted work is taking place.
2. With regards to engagement with partners/agencies and how effective this work has been, it was explained that the key is to understand the reasons behind sex work as each sex worker has a complex history and specialised needs. This then enables targeted intervention by several different outreach organisations which are fully funded by recognised agencies and charitable organisations. By mutual support and sharing of information between all partners the aim is to reduce the number of sex workers and have consistent and sustainable working practices which can be scrutinised and be compliant with national standards.
3. What is the feeling on the likelihood of making a serious dent in this long-standing problem? Chief Inspector Curran said there is a need to be sensible and recognise that the problem is never going to completely disappear. However, there has already been a reduction in the visibility of sex workers and others are coming forward saying that they are now ready to seek support. He went on to say that there is still a need to get better at finding out what works, and the strategy will be embodied into daily policing. There was also likely to be some recommendations coming the Council’s way, for example; cutting back of bushes, increase in lighting and alley-gating as these sorts of issues often impacted on the ability to effectively hide in plain sight.
4. Cllr Anolue thanked the Police for their ongoing work and said that Operation Boxster was proving to be extremely effective as there had been a significant improvement and as the Ward Councillor in this area, she had received much fewer complaints from residents regarding this issue.
5. Superintendent Jones said that Operation Boxster will ‘follow the problem’ if it moves areas as the long-term strategy is to solve the issue rather than just move it from area to area.
6. The Chair said he had been keen to track the process of Operation Boxster and was therefore pleased to see the good work taking place and the positive outcomes and it would now be interesting to see how it continues to evolve.
7. Superintendent Jones said that criminals continually change their tactics therefore it is very much a cat and mouse game. However following investment in Officers there is now a very highly trained team in place therefore moving forward the vision is to radically reduce the number of sex workers operating on the streets of Enfield, mitigate the risks associated with sex work and increase the sense of safety with the local community and local residents. The robust zero tolerance approach will continue.
The Chair thanked Superintendent Chris Jones and Chief Inspector Karl Curran for their presentation and overview on this long-standing issue and the wider impact of this work and was pleased to hear the focus moving forward.