Kerb crawlers in Bradford's red-light areas face being banned from the city as a result of a ground-breaking partnership.

For the first time Bradford Council is issuing "acceptable behaviour contracts" to people caught seeking prostitutes on the city's streets.

The partnership, between the Council's anti-social behaviour unit and Bradford Police's vice squad, is the latest step to try to curb Bradford's vice trade.

Kerb crawlers who breach the acceptable behaviour contracts will have anti-social behaviour orders sought against them in the courts to ban them from the city. Any breaches of those orders could lead to up to five years in jail.

Four acceptable behaviour contracts have already been issued to drivers in the first stages of the police and Council operation.

Today, Detective Inspector John Armitage, of Bradford South CID, said: "This is the first time the vice team has used these contracts and they are a useful weapon in the armoury against kerb crawlers."

Fifteen other drivers were stopped and warned about their behaviour in Listerhills Road, Sunbridge Road and Thornton Road during the four-hour long blitz.

Ten other vehicle registration numbers were noted and the owners will be written to and asked to explain what they were doing driving in the area.

Det Insp Armitage said: "I'm not pleased with the results because it shows that that amount of vehicles driving around the area in four hours is significant.

"It indicates there are a significant number of men coming into the area seeking the vice trade.

"We started the operation at 5.30pm and there were kerb crawlers in the area then so for legitimate people it must be quite intimidating.

"We will not stand for this kind of behaviour and our operations will continue."

Det Insp Armitage said under new Government legislation Anti-Social Behaviour Orders could be issued when kerb crawlers appeared in court for other criminal offences. He added they could also lose their driving licenses if caught.

Kirsti Massey, manager of Bradford Council's anti-social behaviour team, said she was surprised how busy the area was with kerb crawlers.

"It was like Piccadilly Circus up there," she said. "It was really, really busy but worthwhile doing.

"I think it took people back that the Council was there too and gave them more than they were bargaining for.

"We will be carrying out further operations on an ad hoc basis.

"The aim is not to see the same people again and hopefully the message will filter out and the area will become safer for the legitimate people up there."

Pat Bleau, an administrator with the Mercy Project, which advises prostitutes how to get out of the vice trade, said: "It's about time there was a crack down on kerb crawling.

"Girls are victims of abuse from these people who have been getting away with it for too long."