Crackdown on capital's sex industry 'carders'

Police launched a blitz today on people who plaster phone boxes with calling cards for prostitutes.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police clubs and vice unit want to disrupt the trade in contact numbers for London's sex industry.

They said the lurid cards are not just an intimidating eyesore but an offshoot of human trafficking, organised crime and extortion.

Plain-clothes detectives have already begun tracking "carders" who target boxes across the Westminster, Camden, Kensington and Chelsea areas.

Police believe gangs operate protection rackets, blocking rivals from using key telephone boxes with violence and intimidation.

At least 44 people have been arrested for distributing cards this year, an offence punishable with a fine or jail term.

Some of those found putting up cards have been handed anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) specifically banning them from entering phone boxes.

Chief Superintendent Richard Martin, who is leading Operation Cashleen, said details on cards can hand police vital information.

He said: "Dozens of explicit advertising cards in phone boxes is a visible representation of prostitution.

"This creates unease and increases the fear of crime. If ignored the problem will grow unchecked.

"Due to the large scale of the operation we are satisfied that the vice trade in London will be disrupted.

"It's all part of our long-term plan to put those who organise and direct vice in our communities behind bars.

"Catching carders and taking their cards away eats away at the foundations of this immoral trade.

"With the information, evidence and intelligence we obtain we will pursue those organising the brothels and break their criminal networks apart.

"The impact of this trade on women can never be overstated. Behind the brothel doors my officers have found women who have been exploited, abused and sometimes trafficked into this country."

In August, City Hall challenged mobile phone companies to help cut the number of prostitutes working in London by making it easier to cut off numbers.

Officials were frustrated that key numbers are often not blocked, even after police find out they are being used for prostitution.

They organised a meeting of company representatives but it is not known if any progress has been made.

Kit Malthouse, an aide of London Mayor Boris Johnson, has campaigned to ban sex service calling cards since 2000 when he worked as a councillor in Westminster.

He said: "We should not allow criminals to advertise their services in our city and that includes pimps.

"These cards are the visible manifestation of a growing industry and today we are signalling to those who exploit women that we have had enough.

"We want to make it dangerous for pimps to advertise by hitting them in the pocket and targeting their customers who use the numbers on the cards."

Undercover operations to catch those putting up cards will continue throughout the festive season.