Swoop on kerb crawlers

Company executives and property developers are among a string of people caught in a new drive against kerb crawling, it emerged today.

Thirty men face charges following the purge in one of London's major red-light districts.

The campaign was launched in Brixton Hill after residents flooded police with complaints about prostitutes working near a primary school. They said girls as young as 13 were being harassed by kerb crawlers.

Sergeant Jim Carter of Lambeth police vice unit said kerb crawlers came from as far as Surrey, Kent and Sussex and were a cross section of society. "We arrested men in Jaguars and BMWs and men in white vans. Because Brixton Hill is close to the South Circular, many professionals pass on their way home from work."

The men were arrested after allegedly approaching police officers who were posing as prostitutes. Thirty face charges of kerb crawling - half of them cab or lorry drivers. Others were property developers, company managers, engineers, an accountant, a fireman, a bus driver, a chef, a courier, and an IT worker. One was a registered sex offender. A significant number were married and some had children's seats in their cars, suggesting they were parents.

One man broke down in tears when he was arrested. Another said he was "ashamed and embarrassed". If found guilty the men face a fine and, under new laws introduced by the Government, a driving ban.

Recently painter and decorator Hassan Ahmed, 37, became the first kerb crawler in London to be banned from driving after he was caught in Brixton. Mr Carter welcomed the power to impose driving bans. "A fine is a minimal deterrent for offenders but losing their licence is a possible life-changing event," he said.

The operation, which took place over four days last week, is one of four being funded with ?20,000 from the Clapham Park Project, a local regeneration group. Ching Wah Wong of the project said: "The prostitutes are out on the streets daily and operate around the clock. Children are witnessing their activities because the prostitutes don't care who sees them in broad daylight.

"The problem has become worse since crack houses have been closed, as prostitutes now openly have sex between cars or in their front gardens. It has had a severe impact on residents trying to sell their houses." Police say 99 per cent of local prostitutes are addicted to crack and heroin. "Residents have to put up with used condoms left in streets or front gardens," added Mr Carter.

The 30 charged with kerb crawling were bailed to appear at Camberwell magistrates' court next month.