Kerb crawlers are being told not to come to Medway.

Police have warned anyone coming to the Towns to buy sex will be arrested by a dedicated team of officers.

Medway has seen a dramatic reduction in the number of street sex workers thanks to work undertaken by the police Safe Exit team.

Save Exit was set up in August last year to crack down on prostitution in the Towns, which had a large number of drug addicted sex workers.

The team swooped on kerb crawlers and arrested women for prostitution offences, as well as setting up a behavioural course for men to change their behaviour.

The team also focused on cracking down on the drug supply being used by the women.

There were 110 working as prostitutes when the scheme started, now there are less than 15.

Also in the past year, more than 80 men have been dealt with by police for kerb crawling.

The team’s success has led to the scheme being shortlisted for a Diversity in Action award, in this year’s Jane’s Police Review Gala Awards.

Sgt Richard Woolley said: “These men often believe they are not committing an offence but this is not the case.

Audio: Sgt Richard Woolley speaks to kmfm

“In fact, an offence is committed from the moment a women is solicited for the purposes of obtaining sexual acts.

“This can be done either from a vehicle or on foot.”

Sgt Woolley added: “If anyone has information around individuals working in the street sex trade, or using street sex workers, please contact the Safe Exit officers PC Jemma Whyman or PC Debbie Tyler on 01634 792343.

“We can also speak with anyone who feels that they are likely to come to Medway for this purpose, and require guidance and support to deter them from offending.”