THE number of prostitutes working in Aberdeen city centre has increased since a tolerance zone was abandoned after a change in the law, it has been claimed.
Aberdeen was the only place in Scotland operating a prostitute management zone in the harbour area until October last year.
Supporters said the scheme kept prostitutes away from other parts of the city and enabled charities and social services to work with those involved.
The scheme was scrapped after six years following the introduction of new laws to tackle kerb-crawling.
The Prostitution (Public Places) Scotland Act 2007 makes it an offence to seek the services of someone engaged in prostitution and to loiter for that purpose.
Yesterday, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill defended the legislation.
He said it had been “perverse” that women could be prosecuted for soliciting while there was no sanction against kerb-crawling men.
He said: “Over 70 have been reported to the police in Aberdeen and, as at July, 18 have been prosecuted. We think that is correct.”
But Martin Greig, chairman of the Aberdeen Community Safety Partnership, said yesterday that the new law meant prostitutes had migrated from the harbour area into the city centre, adding to the workload of police.
“It’s a problem in Market Street and Union Street,” he said. “Efforts are having to be made to improve the safety of the average citizen, with more street lighting and the closing off of alleyways.
“There have been reports of men being approached outside pubs and clubs, with a big increase in this type of complaint over the last year or so.”
Grampian Police Inspector John Soutar said: “The movement of the girls in the city centre has caused a number of complaints from local businesses. The girls are drifting on to Market Street, Guild Street, the Adelphi and the Green area.
“This is an ongoing problem which has not just happened overnight. The issue for us is to educate the girls.”
There are thought to be around 250 women working in prostitution in the city.
Jim Hunter, councillor for the harbour area, condemned the decision to axe the tolerance zones and said last night that it had been “obvious” that some prostitutes would choose to move into the town centre.
Although Mr MacAskill accepted there was an “element of displacement” in some areas, he said he was unaware of any evidence that showed an increase in prostitution elsewhere in Scotland and insisted the legislation was working.