A PROSTITUTION crack-down in Blackburn has seen two men arrested and four sex workers given final warnings.

Police activity under Operation Eton, which tackles kerb crawling and prostitution, has been stepped up in the outskirts of the town centre to coincide with the darker nights.

Sergeant Kevin Jones said: “Our method of dealing with prostitution is to prosecute those responsible for abuse and exploitation.

“It is not right that people should have to live with this kind of activity taking place outside their houses.”

Officers said that recent years had seen an increase in the number of prostitutes in the town, particularly in the Bank Top area.

Last week, two men were arrested on suspicion of soliciting.

One was given a police conditional caution after admitting the offence and will have to undergo a three-hour education program run by the police and other agencies.

The other was released on bail for further inquiries.

Four women were spoken to by police and are now on their final warnings.

The new police initiative has seen prostitutes and kerb crawlers offered courses, instead of facing criminal charges, in a crackdown on East Lancashire’s sex worker industry.

People caught kerb crawling are offered a conditional caution, meaning they won’t face charges if they pay £75 to attend the course.

The course deals with the dangers of prostitution, the law, the impact of their behaviour on the community, health risks, and what happens if they re-offend.

Prostitutes are offered the same deal for free if arrested for soliciting for sex.

However, there are further strict measures for repeat offenders, which can include criminal ASBOs (CrASBOs) and even driving disqualifications.