A MAN has been fined £600 and banned from driving for three months for kerb-crawling, as part of a police crackdown.

Nazim Arshad, 22, of Dover Street, Nelson, was arrested in the early hours after picking up two prostitutes in Blackburn.

Magistrates heard that the two sex workers had fled his car after becoming concerned about his behaviour.

They flagged down a passing police car in the King Street area and Arshad was arrested.

A police spokesman said: “The two women became concerned about his behaviour, which was described as irrational and aggressive, and reported him to the police.”

Arshad was arrested charged with kerb-crawling and was convicted at court last week. The incident happened in March.

Police and council officials have vowed to get tough on the problem of prostitutes and kerb-crawlers operating in the King Street and Bank Top area of Blackburn.

A £10,000 crackdown was launched in Blackburn last month, with residents saying they had been ‘sickened’ by the problems.

Officers said there was a regular group of 15 or 16 girls working in a residentital area of Bank Top including Dixon Street, Garden Street and the cul-de-sac Pleasington Close.

Sgt Kevin Jones said: “It is becoming known that there is a thriving scene in Black-burn and that is attracting more and more girls and clients.”

A new strategy to tackle the problem has been launched by the local community safety partnership.

He said £6,000 had been invested in technology for officers to identify kerb-crawlers.

Extra officers will also be located in the neigh-bourhood.

He said: “Men picking up prostitutes must be aware that they are committing a crime.

“And if they come to Bank Top to do this they must be aware that they could receive a visit at home by uniformed officers.”