Met needs to move away from criminalising sex workers, officers say after Levy failings

The Metropolitan Police need to abandon criminalizing women engaged in street sex work following the Simon Levy case, officers told the BBC. Levy, a convicted sex offender, was able to murder two women and rape another due to various force failings. To improve trust and encourage women to report crimes, the Met is piloting a new female team in north London.

The police's approach to street sex work has always been contentious, as many women involved in sex work are vulnerable and fear police involvement. The new team aims to change this perception and provide support to women who have experienced violence. A survivor, who wished to remain anonymous, described how she had been attacked by two men and feared contacting the police due to potential arrests.

She only reported the attacks after meeting the Met's new female liaison team, who reassured her that they were there to support her. The Met claims that the new team has already led to increased reports of rape and sexual offences, as well as improved information sharing to identify dangerous perpetrators.