Police mark International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

National Police Chiefs' Council Lead for Prostitution and Exploitation, Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Holland said: 

"Sex work is an issue that can be challenging for some communities and for the police service, however it is our duty to protect the communities we serve and sex workers are members of those communities. 

"Sadly, since 1990, 182 sex workers have been murdered in the UK. Sex workers are some of the most vulnerable in our society and we need to protect them.

"The police service continues to encourage any sex workers who have been victims of crime to come forward and report it to us. It is only through a fuller intelligence picture that we will be able to implement measures to better protect people. We want sex workers to know that the police will take their reports of violence seriously and they will be treated with respect and dignity. 

"Across the UK, police forces are working with partners in health, local authorities and charities to deliver a considered response to the issue. 

"Today we reaffirm our message that violence against sex workers will not be tolerated, we will work tirelessly to bring any offenders to justice."