POLICE have blitzed kerb crawlers in Rochester as the number of prostitutes touting for business has doubled in a year.

In a two-day crackdown, officers caught four men allegedly in the act in the stretch between Gibraltar Hill and Star Hill, known as Medway's red light area.

In an unusual step the Medway Today newspaper has teamed up with officers to name and shame those charged with kerb-crawling on Tuesday and Wednesday night.

Operation Quota, an initiative launched about four years ago in the wake of residents' concerns about prostitution in the area, will continue until the problem is stamped out. Under new powers police can arrest offenders on the spot, take them into custody and charge them.

Sgt Kevin Dyer said the amended legislation had already made a difference but with the number of named prostitutes increasing from 40 to 76 the area is still a magnet for kerb crawlers.

He said:"It has acted as a deterrent along with a response from police liaise with housing and drug addiction services. The vast majority of the women are out there to feed their drug habits and will spend the money they get on heroin as soon as half an hour later or by the next day.

"It has now reached an unacceptable level with girls as young as 16 working. Our target is to make it less easy for them to carry on."

Those arrested and charged over the two nights were: John Caig Brown, 41, of Grafton Avenue, Rochester, John Vincent Lynott, 58, of Brissenden Close, Upnor, near Strood, Derek John Riley, 40, of Thorold Road, Chatham, and Karl Ian Buckingham, 32, of Woodpecker Drive, Iwade, near Sittingbourne.

A teenager from Rochester was charged with soliciting for the purposes of prostitution.

All are due to appear before Medway magistrates this month.

Sgt Robin Wharfe added:"By naming and shaming these people we hope it will act as a deterrent to others who think about committing this type of crime. We hope it will improve the quality of life for local residents in thoise areas where prostitution is a problem."