London police lay charges in prostitution sting

Commencing on October 20th, 2010, the London Police Service has been conducting a project to address community complaints of illegal prostitution behavior, by targeting both the sex trade workers and the "Johns".

Since the start of this initiative, the London Police have arrested 23 "Johns", 20 prostitutes and laid 52 criminal charges. These charges included 42 charges for communication for the purpose of prostitution, as well as the criminal offences of; committing an indecent act, possession of drugs, breach of conditions and possession of break and enter tools.

A further initiative of this project was the Community Safety Letter campaign that targeted actual and prospective "Johns". This strategy has resulted in 68 letters being sent to the homes of men who were identified by police officers engaged in the following behaviours:

– Picking up a sex worker
– Being found in the company of a sex worker
– Continually driving around an area frequented by sex trade workers
– Continually stopping and talking to sex workers

In looking at the numbers, 28% of the men that the London Police Service has dealt with have resided outside the City of London, including communities from Mississauga to Sarnia.

The efforts of the LPS have not gone unnoticed with members of the affected neighbourhoods providing positive feedback on our efforts.

The London Police Service will continue this enforcement initiative in order to reduce and eliminate community issues associated with the street sex trade.

As was previously stated by Chief Brad Duncan, ‘the message to men who communicate with known prostitutes should be obvious: the London Police Service will engage you, and where applicable charge you, and ensure that you are advised, in writing, of the issues we face as a community as a result of your continued and unwanted behaviour."