Prostitution is the practice of selling sex for money.

It is legal in the UK for a person to buy sexual services or work as a private prostitute or escort.

The following related activities are illegal:

• for a prostitute 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 prostitutes for financial gain)
• keeping a brothel
• advertising the services of call girls by placing cards in phone boxes
• having sex in public

Brothels

A brothel is a place used for the purpose of prostitution.

It is an offence for a landlord, a tenant or anyone else to be involved in the running of a brothel.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police

Report it

Please tell us if you suspect kerb crawling or a property being used as a brothel by completing the Report Something form and select a general report not covered below.

If you believe someone is in danger or being held against their will please call 999.

Please note: Want to link to this page use the short cut: www.dc.police.uk/prositutionlegality