PROSTITUTES making life a misery for people living in Rochester's red light area could soon be issued with anti-social behaviour orders.

Asbos, as they are known, are the Government's tough new measures against disorder in the community.

In an ongoing crackdown by Medway Police, 11 women have been charged with Asbos in an initiative believed to be among the first in the country.

The arrests result from Operation Quota which has identified nearly 50 prostitutes working in an area along New Road to Rochester railway station which has been compared to London's notorious King's Cross district.

Insp Peter Dale, of Medway Police, said: "It is a civil application and is as a direct result of ongoing multi-agency consultation and increased focus on issues regarding sex workers and prostitution. The charges comes as proof that the polices undercover Operation Quota has been a success."

The Medway Today newspaper has supported the initiative by naming and shaming kerb-crawlers caught in the act and highlighting the risks prostitutes take as they tout for sex in the area. Some of them are under-age.

Asbos give local authorities powers to take action against people persistently disrupting their neighbourhoods with the threat of a jail term, in some cases, for those who breach an order.

The 11 woman charged between March and June this year failed to turn up for a hearing at Medway Magistrates Court on Friday. The case was adjourned until November 12.