City vice girl banned by ASBO across county (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

City vice girl banned by ASBO across county

7:30am Saturday 10th April 2010 in News By Tanya O'Rourke

A woman prostitute who has worked the streets of Bradford for 14 years has been given an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) to prevent her plying for trade.

Police believe it is the first time such a move has been made against a vice girl in the city.

The order states that Michelle Lyn Smith, 38, has been “deliberately and persistently causing a nuisance, harassment, alarm and distress” and bans her from engaging in prostitution throughout West Yorkshire.

Smith, who also goes by the surname Routledge and now has a home address of Mixenden, Halifax, has also been banned from entering or remaining in large swathes of Bradford off Thornton Road between the university and Listerhills – which is a known ‘red light’ area.

Under the strict terms of the order, Smith must not carry out any of the following acts: lLoiter for the purpose of prostitution lOffer sexual services for reward lCommit or engage in a lewd or sexual act in a public place.

The order, which lists her offence as “soliciting/ loitering for the purpose of prostitution”, was made against her by Bradford magistrates after an application by police.

Speaking after the court hearing, Inspector Kevin Pickles, who leads on vice issues for Bradford South Police, said: “This ASBO shows that the issue of vice-related activity will be dealt with robustly.

“The vice team, in conjunction with the ASBO officer, have worked hard to ensure that this woman cannot cause any further concern in the local community, or indeed across West Yorkshire.”

Sergeant Helen Metcalfe, of the Bradford South Vice Team, said: “We have tried to help this woman with the problems she had in her personal life that led her to be involved in prostitution.

“Her failure to engage with us and with partner agencies has led to the action against her, and ultimately the issue of this order.”