Sex trade inquiry shelved as council changes approach
PLANS to hold a public inquiry into Cheltenham's sex trade have been shelved.
Borough council chiefs backed a motion earlier this year to hold an in-depth review of prostitution and people trafficking in the town.
It came after Tory councillor Barbara Driver raised concerns there was nothing in place to track the scale of the problem.
Her call was taken up by Tory councillors, who planned to hold a full one-day inquiry later this year.
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But now the group has announced that the idea has been abandoned in the short-term in favour of a different approach.
Instead, members will spend the coming months conducting research into the issue to gauge the depth of the problem.
Councillor Anne Regan (C, Warden Hill), who is on the working group, said: "We agreed that, as things stand, it would be more useful to find out more about this before going straight into a public inquiry.
"It's a very complex and sensitive issue and we need to have all the relevant facts in front of us before we can decide how, and to what extent, it is affecting people in Cheltenham.
"Over the next two months, we will be working with all the relevant agencies, including social workers and police, to get their opinions on board, before making our findings public.
"We may also speak to people directly affected by these issues including men and women involved in prostitution."
The study will aim to address all issues relating to the town's sex trade, included licensed sexual entertainment as well as illegal vice- related activity.
It will see the council work with adult and children safeguarding boards, as well as the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre to develop a strategy to fight the problem.
Police have given the idea their backing, saying it could help to stop the exploitation of young women and other vulnerable people in the area.
The working group is due to report to the full council in December with its findings and any recommendations.
Mrs Regan said the change of plan did not mean the matter was being put on the back-burner.
"It does not mean we aren't taking this issue seriously," she added.
"We just feel it is more appropriate to take a more in-depth approach given the complexity of the situation."
Cheltenham has endured problems with sex crime in the past.
It was at the centre of a nationwide swoop in 2008, called Operation Pentameter II, in which brothels across the town were raided.
Earlier this month a man and a woman, from the town, were charged with conspiring to run a brothel following raids in Suffolk Road and Pittville Lawn.
Comments
by GL52Resident
Monday, September 24 2012, 1:07PM
“Surely the role of the new PCC (if we must have one) is to represent the views of the electorate who vote for him or her - not to be swayed by party politics at a borough or county level, especially when the candidate espouses independance ? Councillors are elected for many other and varied reasons but what they are not elected for is to provide party policy influence over the police, either directly or through the post of PCC.”
by Chrisgump2011
Sunday, September 23 2012, 10:59AM
“A shambles. Amazing how ear-wigging at a Colonial barbie can prompt such a colossal waste of time and resources. You couldn't make up this foolishness”
by joholly
Sunday, September 23 2012, 8:11AM
“I had rather hoped the reversal was linked to the resignation or removal of Councillor Driver - but alas not. We need councillors who walk into rooms and see the elephant in the corner not the mice- council money should not be wasted on dinner party comments from folk who have never been in the town (or have no idea how UK society has changed in the past ten years). More time needs to be spent on the real issues affecting real people in the town.”
by MartinSurl
Friday, September 21 2012, 6:14PM
“It's with some reluctance I comment on this story, but as it seems now to be a priority for the Tory councillors I think I should. The Police & Crime Commissioner, when elected in November, will have the responsibility for setting policing priorities and I wonder if they have lobbied their candidate on this issue?
This problem needs to be set along side other issues such as domestic violence, burglary, rape, road death, riot, child abuse, drunkenness, visibility, anti social behaviour and so on. And, all on a substantially reduced budget.
Human trafficking is a horrendous crime and needs to be firmly dealt with, but we also need to look at the whole picture and not just one sensational head line issue.
Hopefully the incoming commissioner, of whatever colour or hopefully independent, will start to coordinate the many difficult issues that need our attention.
Martin Surl
Independent Candidate
Police & Crime Commissioner
Gloucestershire.
http://tinyurl.com/77zau5t”
by Scorpio2010
Friday, September 21 2012, 2:54PM
“Hmm. What's the betting that they have either found themselves to be out of their depth or, more likely, they have been told to rein their necks in by those who actually know what they are doing?”
by elgoog
Friday, September 21 2012, 11:52AM
“Members will spend the coming months conducting research into the issue to gauge the depth of the problem.
and will presumably be able to recover "expenses" of their research.
a nice little earner.”
by Bob_Flaps
Friday, September 21 2012, 11:52AM
“Oh no, what will they have to talk about in New York now!
Mrs Driver commented - 'in my day you could get a tram from London to Manchester for a shilling and still have enough change for a 3 piece suit and a bag of chips. It was all fields round here when I was a girl. We were happier then and you could leave your front door unlocked. Have I ever mentioned my husband?'”
by Bonkim2003
Friday, September 21 2012, 11:48AM
“The question always is - what do you do with the information generated and what powers does the council have in bringing about any changes.”
by geraint2010
Friday, September 21 2012, 11:19AM
“Why not recruit some unemployed young men to help out with this research? There should be no shortage of applicants and their wages and expenses could easily be recouped once the 'business' operators are taken to court!”
by 2ladybugs
Friday, September 21 2012, 10:27AM
“Well, it was never going to work anyway.”