Prostitution & Kerb Crawling In Semilong Northampton

To every resident in the community or anyone visiting or passing through, this is a blight on our Semilong neighbourhood. Whenever a person hears the place name `Semilong`..ah that's where the street prostitute problem is..

Northampton Borough Council and Northamptonshire Police say that it isn't as bad as it used to be, a fact that SEMILONG.ORG recognise, agree with and applaud.

If you go back even a few years, the situation was much much worse and perhaps it seemed like a losing battle, like King Canute trying to hold back the tide. The recent success at reducing the problem has been a very welcome relief for all the community and is in no doubt due to the hard work of Northamptonshire Police as well as the various agencies.

However, the fact that it continues at all is a damning indictment.

Prostitution not only brings sexual degenerates to our community, it brings drugs and other crime. That is why residents want the problem, not reduced, not limited to certain times BUT TOTALLY STOPPED.

Previous Action To Stop Prostitution & Kerb Crawling Within Semilong Northampton

Previously, SEMILONG.ORG were particularly dissatisfied with the attempts made to stop prostitution and kerb crawling within our community in Semilong.

The problem, which though has eased over the last decade, has persisted year after year, much to the annoyance of every decent resident and individual in Semilong and Northampton generally.

We previously spoke about Anti-Social Behaviour Orders with public prosecutions followed by naming and shaming in all forms of media and we derided the barricades across our roads which separate the community, put obstacles to driving, and which even now continue to act as a constant reminder of the prostitute problem in our community.

Northamptonshire Police Attitude

In January 2009 SEMILONG.ORG met with Sergeant Foster from Northamptonshire Police and after a very frank discussion of the issue, SEMILONG.ORG were left reassured that this problem which blights our community in Semilong, and even the town of Northampton, is not a problem which is taken lightly by Northamptonshire Police.

"Plain clothed officers from Northamptonshire Police regularly patrol [the Semilong prostitution `Tolerated Zone` and surrounding residential areas] and kerb crawlers ARE caught, ARE arrested, and ARE dealt with by the criminal justice system."

We are sure all our readers would agree that this approach is very welcome. All that is missing is the public naming and shaming of those involved to enhance the deterrence effect.

In addition to any `Change Course` and other penalty, kerb crawlers should also be ordered to do unpaid work in the community in which they have offended. Perhaps sweeping the streets or maintaining the greenscaping that Northampton Borough Council fail to do.

Sex Offender Name & Shame Campaign

SEMILONG.ORG did have an aim to take video of kerb crawlers and post them on this website to support a new campaign, perhaps with a competition to actually name the kerb crawlers picking up prostitutes in our community.

However, on advice from the Chair of the Semilong Community Forum, (the residents association in Semilong) we have decided to drop that idea temporarily.

It was felt that area of our Semilong community was not safe for residents to go to and also that it would push the problem elsewhere.

Consequently, we have put a temporary stay on that campaign to let other agencies work. But if the problem persists or degenerates further, WE WILL re-consider the campaign.

Prostitution In Semilong Northampton

Prostitution & Kerb Crawling in Quorn Way Semilong Northampton is a constant issue for residents. It brings crime and deviants into our neighbourhood.

Roads in Semilong Northampton are barricaded to help stop the kerb crawling. Are they working or do they just act as a constant reminder of the prostitution problem in our neighbourhood?

Crime which is HIGH in Semilong Northampton is brought to our neighbourhood by the drug addicted prostitutes and the sex offenders who use them.

There By Necessity Or Choice?

The community of Semilong Northampton do not want prostitutes on our streets. It is said that prostitutes themselves are not there by choice and do not like the lifestyle.

SEMILONG.ORG have a simple answer to that.."well stop it..there are enough agencies offering help..take it and stop blighting our community". We do not want no go areas in our community. We do not want our community barricaded to stop kerb crawlers. We do not want sexual degenerates, crime, drugs and health hazards that you bring to the streets of our community.

What Are The Kerb Crawlers Risking?

• Health risks (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
• Criminal record for a sex crime
• Anti-social Behaviour Order (ASBO)
• Being `named and shamed` as a sex offender.
• Crime not only from the prostitutes but also others.
• Marriage / jobs / friends
• Self-respect...

Are There Alternatives?

SEMILONG.ORG are often advised that this prostitution problem will never be stopped, that it is the oldest profession in the world.

Do we agree with that?

No. Successes elsewhere nationally and internationally indicate that positive action can and will drive prostitution from our streets. The factor that has allowed it to continue for so long in Semilong is that there has been no positive action to stop it.

What is your view on this?

Contact SEMILONG.ORG to tell us if you think prostitution can be stopped for good here in Semilong Northampton