A FREEDOM of Information request has shown there have been no arrests, prosecutions, fines, criminal behaviour orders or banning orders for prostitution related offences in Pill for over two years.

The revelation has led to fresh claims that Pill is the “unofficial red-light district of Newport”.

But Gwent Police have countered by saying certain types of enforcement against prostitutes are “not effective” as many prostitutes are vulnerable and exploited.

“Therefore, the right thing to do is deal with this as a safeguarding issue, and so we are working with a range of partners to do everything we can to protect sex workers from further victimisation,” added the spokesman.

“We are also actively investigating those that control the sex workers, and this is where the focus of our enforcement activity needs to be. We have already closed down a number of premises linked to sex work, and we will continue to pursue those that are involved in this form of organised criminality.”

In the UK, prostitution is not illegal, but there are offences linked to it which break the law, including causing or incite prostitution or controlling it for personal gain and persistent kerb-crawling. It's also illegal to run a brothel, loiter, solicit sex on the street.

But despite police assurances, Pill residents have long called for a more visible approach to policing prostitution.

In 2016, furious Pill residents claimed Gwent Police were "turning a blind eye" to prostitution taking place in broad daylight.

The force responded by adding extra officers onto the streets.

This year, the residents of Courtybella Gardens in Pill claimed they were "under siege" by prostitutes and drug dealers, while a young family told the South Wales Argus they could no longer let their son play outside as prostitutes were having sex against their garden wall.

READ MORE: Newport community besieged by drug dealers, prostitutes and joy riders demand action

Former city councillor for Pill Omar Ali's recent FOI request asked Gwent Police how many arrests, prosecutions, criminal orders, fines and banning orders have been made between January 1, 2016 and August 3, 2018, in relation to prostitution, soliciting sex an kerb crawling in Pill. The answer was zero.

“It’s not good reading at all,” said Mr Ali, who has called for answers from chief constable of Gwent Police, Julian Williams.

Omar Ali is running as an independent candidate for the Pillgwenlly ward in the upcoming local council elections(Former city councillor, Omar Ali)

“It feels like they’ve turned their back on the community. Pill has become the unofficial red-light district of the city.

“The chief constable of Gwent Police needs to give us a straight answer. The local officers are dedicated, very hard working and well respected in the community.

“But people have lost confidence in Gwent Police, to the extent that they no longer report these matters anymore because they don’t see anything being done about it.”

READ MORE: Prostitutes and drug addicts are subjecting a Pill family to a living nightmare

The South Wales Argus sought a comment from Chief Constable Julian Williams, but the force noted it would be more appropriate for local Newport commander, Superintendent Ian Roberts, to respond.

He explained: “It is extremely difficult to be precise about the number of incidents where prostitution is reported, however we do have a very good understanding of the sex work issue in Pillgwenlly and the individuals involved.

“We understand the concerns raised by people living in the area, and the local neighbourhood policing team are actively engaging with residents and ward councillors about the issues. Our approach to tackling this problem is multi-faceted.

READ MORE: Pill area of Newport has become an 'unofficial red light district'.

“In the last year or so, we have detained a number of kerb crawlers and have used powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to warn them about their behaviour. None of those dealt with in this way have re-offended, so this tactic is proving effective.

“We have also issued a number of street cautions to sex workers in the past, but this is not effective as many of them are, in fact, very vulnerable and exploited people.”

*Have you been affected by this issue? Contact sam.ferguson@gwent-wales.co.uk with your story*