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