POLICE in Bournemouth say prostitutes in the town are offered personal alarms and advice in a bid to keep them safe on the streets.
The dangers that face the country's prostitutes were highlighted in 2006 when five street girls were murdered in Ipswich during a 10-day period.
On Friday, their killer, Steve Wright, was told he would spent the rest of his life in jail after being found guilty of the murders of Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol, Anneli Alderton, Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls.
Chief Superintendent Bob Boulton, head of Bournemouth and Poole Police, said prostitutes are vulnerable because of the very nature of their job.
He said: "There is still nothing to suggest any link to Bournemouth with the tragic events in Ipswich - but we are committed to making working women safe because of the nature of the dangers that surround their line of work.
"In Bournemouth we already have in place a scheme where we ensure that if any working woman requests a personal alarm then they will be provided with one, and this scheme is continuing under our current Street Safe initiative."
He added that the town's red light area is within the East Bournemouth Safer Neighbourhood area, which is patrolled by uniform and plain clothes police officers, as well as police community support officers.
Chief Supt Boulton said: "Offering personal alarms is just one of a range of steps intended to increase safety. We also offer personal safety advice, and there are outreach workers available who provide support and advice to the working women."I'd like to re-assure everyone in Bournemouth, working women in particular, that we are committed to keeping them safe, and I'd urge anyone who has any worries or safety concerns to contact Bournemouth police straight away."
In 2005 two prostitutes were murdered in Dorset.
Sandra Wiles, 19, met a violent death at the hands of her soldier boyfriend George Tayali after he discovered she was working as a prostitute. Zimbabwe-born Tayali, a member of the Household Cavalry at Windsor, was jailed for life.
Just weeks later prostitute Lomoki Mkwananzi, known as Millie, was found dead in her Boscombe flat. Steven Smith had picked Millie, 29, up in Southcote Road, before going back to her flat for sex.
He then hit her over the head and face with a hairspray can, stabbed her three times and strangled her with his bare hands. Smith pleaded guilty to her murder and was sentenced to at least 19 years behind bars.
7:00pm Sunday 24th February 2008
Daily Dorset
