Rachel Stonehouse and Emma Hallett from BBC West Investigations are in Bristol to observe the operations of dedicated teams engaging with street sex workers and disrupting kerb crawlers in an effort to combat night-time exploitation and harm. The focus is on criminalizing the men involved rather than the women. The teams aim to address the complexities of the commercial sex industry by actively engaging with sex workers on the streets while enforcing regulations on those seeking their services.
BBC West Investigations has been granted exclusive access to witness the impact of the work being done by these dedicated teams in Bristol. With the goal of safeguarding vulnerable women and disrupting men who engage in purchasing sex, the teams work together to monitor and address instances of illegal activities related to sex work. This approach, known as the Nordic Model, has been in place in Bristol for 15 years, aiming to prevent reoffending and raise awareness about the vulnerabilities of the women involved.
During their patrols, the Op Boss and Night Light teams encounter individuals from all walks of life engaging in illegal activities related to sex work on the streets of Bristol. By targeting men involved in purchasing sex rather than criminalizing the women, the teams have seen success in addressing the complexities of the commercial sex industry. The approach taken by Avon and Somerset Police has been recognized as a national leader in safeguarding vulnerable populations and improving relationships between law enforcement and sex workers.
The collaboration between police, children’s charity Barnardo’s, and the
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