Call to legalise brothels

BROTHELS should be legalised to provide greater security for prostitutes, says Oldham’s Euro-MP Chris Davies.

The move follows the killings of prostitutes Suzanne Blamires, Susan Rushworth, and Shelley Armitage in Bradford.

The Lib-Dem MEP said the women’s deaths highlighted the urgent need for a new approach.

He said: “It is appalling that two or more prostitutes cannot work together under the same roof for their mutual protection without fear of criminal prosecution.

“The law does nothing to help keep them safe.”

His comments follow those of Prime Minister David Cameron who said last week that the issue of decriminalising prostitution-related offences should be “looked at again.”

Prostitution is legal in Britain but soliciting and the keeping of a brothel where two or more people may work as prostitutes is not.

Davies says that local councils should be required to treat the licensing of brothels as a planning issue, following national guidelines to ensure minimum disturbance to residents.