Report sex worker activities

A sex worker is someone who engages in sexual activity in exchange for money or other compensation. It is legal in the UK for a person to buy sexual services or work as a private sex worker or escort.

The following related activities are illegal:

• for a sex worker to loiter or conduct solicitation in a street or public place
• kerb crawling (wait for or solicit business in a street or public place, including in a vehicle)
• pimping (controlling sex workers for financial gain)
• keeping a brothel (a place used for the purpose of sex work. It is an offence for a landlord, tenant or anyone else to be involved in the running of a brothel)
• advertising the services of call girls by placing cards in phone boxes
• having sex in public

When reporting activities, try to provide any:

• names
• addresses or locations
• ages or age ranges
• number plates, if any vehicles are involved
• details as to why you suspect sex work has taken place

Advice and support for sex workers

People involved in sex work can experience different forms of abuse, including physical and sexual abuse. Further information, including guidance and support is available on sex worker safety.