A Bradford MP has called for a debate on legalising prostitution in the wake of the killings of three vice girls in the city.

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe said there needed to be “controlled zones” where sex workers could operate more safely.

His comments follow the deaths of Suzanne Blamires, 36, Shelley Armitage, 31 and Susan Rushworth, 43, for which Stephen Griffiths, 40, who has described himself in court as the ‘Crossbow Cannibal’ has been charged with three counts of murder.

Mr Sutcliffe said: “I’m calling for the debate to be opened up about controlled zones and decriminalisation.

“There needs to be accommodation somewhere – but there lies the difficulty. Everyone agrees that there’s got to be a controlled zone but no-one wants it on their street.

“For me, decriminalisation is the starting point because it’s a vicious circle in terms of women getting fines and having to go back on the streets to pay those fines. You will never undo it that way.

“It may be better to have controlled areas, although there are problems with that because what’s to stop guys taking them away from the controlled area?”

Asked about the possibility of legalised brothels, Mr Sutcliffe said: “I would do that, but I think it’s a more difficult option for the wider public to accept. But it happens abroad and elsewhere.”