by Will Davies A crackdown on violence towards prostitutes has been pledged after a shocking new report on brothels. Earlier this month the Times revealed how at least 59 brothels advertise services in Brent – second only to West

by Will Davies

A crackdown on violence towards prostitutes has been pledged after a shocking new report on brothels.

Earlier this month the Times revealed how at least 59 brothels advertise services in Brent - second only to Westminster among London's 33 local authorities.

Cllr Hayley Matthews, Brent Council's cabinet member for crime and community safety, made a pledge to provide comprehensive services to protect women and residents from the 'blight' of prostitution.

In a letter to the Times she said: 'Prostitution is a form of violence against women and many studies have shown that addiction, intimidation, exploitation and abuse go hand-in-hand with the activity.

'It is a good time to look at this in more detail, including the way these thinly disguised brothels are advertised and at the services that are available to the women.

'I am discussing with my colleagues the mechanisms open to the council and its partners to look at this in more detail so that we can be sure that we are providing joined up, inclusive services for women while protecting residents from unwanted and unsavoury contact with this activity.'

The report, 'Big Brothel: a survey of the off-street sex industry in London', by the Poppy Project, exposed the startling growth of the off-street sex industry in London.

Solely using adverts placed in 74 local London newspapers researchers posing as potential sex buyers found high-risk services, such as unprotected sex, available for as little as £10 in many of the 921 brothels surveyed.

Helen Atkins, co-author of the report, said: "Multi-media misrepresentations of commercial sex as a glamourous, easy and fun career choice for girls and women further contribute to the ubiquity of London's brothel industry.

"However, for most women involved in prostitution, the reality is a cycle of violence and coercion, perpetuated by poverty and inequality."

Sources at the council indicated a task force may be set up in response to the findings.

Cllr Matthews' comments come as Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith pledged to give police powers to close brothels for three months.

At present they can only be shut down if evidence is found of drug abuse or anti-social behaviour.

The announcement was part of a massive clampdown on kerbcrawlers and men who pay for sex with trafficked women.

w.davies@archant.co.uk