Residents in a Dundee area notorious for being a “red light zone” claim the problem of prostitution has not gone away despite an overall decrease in recorded offences in the city.
Figures released by Police Scotland show that there were nine offences reported and the same number detected in 2016/17.
While this was an increase compared to 2016/15, when there was just one offence, it is a significant drop from previous years going back to 2012, when there were 38 offences.
Following complaints from residents on Arbroath Road, a hot-spot for prostitution, police said they worked closely with partner agencies and Dundee City Council to address the issue.
However, residents this week said they are still seeing prostitution-related activity almost every night.
Stephen McDonald, 58, said: “This is still a dodgy bit – you see the prostitutes walking up and down the road in the evenings, and even during the day.
“It’s still going on, they are here every night. People have given up reporting it, as it’s different faces all the time and as soon as one leaves, another comes along.
“I do feel sad for the girls though.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said that high visibility patrols were being carried out in the area.
She explained: “We are aware of concerns raised by local residents and the increase of reporting of these types of incidents.
“We work closely with key partner agencies including the local authority and Vice Versa who are part of the Violence Against Women Partnership to address the issues that the community have told us about.
“We are also carrying out high visibility patrols with a view to improving community safety and the protection of vulnerable people.
“Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe and protecting those at risk of harm in our communities and where vulnerabilities are identified referrals will be made to partner agencies to ensure support is provided at an early stage.”
Maryfield councillor Lynne Short said reporting the problems was crucial if there was to be any change.
She added: “A few years ago there were concerns about this in the area around Victoria Road and Princes Street.
“These things tend to move around, but reporting it, keeping a journal of incidents and being vocal bout it does help.
“The last time I spoke to constituents on the Arbroath Road area they said there was less activity than before, due to the police patrols.”
There were no prostitution-related offences reported in Perth and Kinross or Angus between 2012 and 2016.
In Fife, there was one instance of brothel-keeping dealt with in 2014/15.
