Tolerance zone for prostitution is branded as 'naïve'

Published on Tuesday 26 August 2008 01:14

A HIGH-PROFILE organisation has called for a prostitution tolerance zone to be introduced.

The Cockburn Association, Edinburgh's Civic Trust, has raised eyebrows after requesting the introduction of such an area in Leith.

The historic group, more commonly known for its frequent opposition to modern development, said a tolerance zone around Salamander Street would demonstrate an "enlightened approach".

The chairman of the Leith Links Residents' Association, however, rounded on the Cockburn Association and accused it of a "middle-class, nave, liberal, knee-jerk reaction".

The suggestion was included in a response sent to city councillors about plans for a massive redevelopment of Leith Docks – due to be discussed next week.

Alongside concerns about the proposed layout of buildings and whether there will be enough green space, cases committee officer Yvonne Holton wrote: "The area around Salamander Street has, in the recent past, been the subject of a great deal of debate on the issue of prostitution.

"Surely there is an opportunity here for the city to revisit this issue with consideration given to the creation of a tolerance zone.

"This would demonstrate an enlightened approach and would address important issues before they inevitably arise."

Edinburgh operated an unofficial tolerance zone in the Coburg Street area of Leith for 20 years until 2001, when changes in the neighbourhood prompted complaints from residents.

An attempt to shift this to Salamander Street led to further protests and the scheme was abandoned.

Supporters of tolerance zones argue they offer increased safety for women and allow medical and advice services to be provided.

However, Robert Kirkwood, chairman of the Leith Links Residents' Association, said: "I think that as an act of generosity, the director of the Cockburn Association, Moira Tasker, should propose a tolerance zone outside her own house.

"The people of Leith are sick and tired of people belonging to organisations like this, who invariably live in places like Stockbridge and Morningside, proposing once again that we dump all the social problems of Edinburgh on Leithers.

"We have almost eradicated this problem. It seems this organisation hasn't looked at the history and the battle the community has fought to liberate the streets for local women.

"They should stick to what they do best and not engage in matters they know nothing whatsoever about."

Last month, police said they had seen a sharp fall in the number of calls about prostitutes operating in and around Salamander Street and Leith Links. It is thought the drop is the result of an increased police presence and a crackdown on kerb crawlers.

New prostitution laws do not give councils the power to establish tolerance zones

Community safety leader, Paul Edie, said he was also personally in favour of tolerance zones, but he added: "This is the law and we have to work within it, whatever its limitations. Most laws could always do with some fine tuning."

Jim Hunter, the council's community protection manager, said: "From a legal and enforcement perspective, (a tolerance zone] is not possible. There's also a community safety partnership approach we have adopted to encourage routes out of prostitution."

No-one from the Cockburn Association was available for comment.