Hull City Council has decided to head to the courts in a bid to employ underused powers in the battle against prostitution in Hessle Road.
The matter has caused misery for Hessle Road residents for the past 12 years, with families in the area complaining of frequently finding condoms and syringes in the street.
Council lawyers have been considering whether they can use Section 222 orders to help tackle the problem.
Under the Local Government Act 1972, the orders can be used "where a local authority considers that it is expedient for the protection or promotion of the interests of the inhabitants of its area, it may prosecute legal proceedings".
Having researched the powers, the council is now preparing to ask the courts to grant them use of the orders.
The council believes the order could be used, as prostitution in Hessle Road has become a persistent nuisance.
The council's Citysafe manager, Tracy Harsley, said: "Enormous amounts of work have been carried out from all agencies, the police and from ward councillors.
"We have also worked very closely with residents.
"They have been very positive about the work we have carried out, but we know more needs to be done to help improve their quality of life.
"Having looked at the order, we are now preparing to go to the courts, which will hopefully grant us use of these powers.
"We feel these orders could help. We understand prostitution has been a problem in Hessle Road for a long time and it will take some time to address."
Ward councillor Daren Hale has given his backing to the move.
He said: "These orders will effectively allow us to create prostitution zones.
"Hopefully, we will be in a position to introduce them very soon, subject to court approval.
"A map of the zone has been approved, which will cover the area around the Boulevard, Wellsted Street and Constable Street and on the southern side around St Barnabas Court.
"It would provide the police with the ability to summons these people to court immediately and possibly powers of arrest for anyone loitering, plying their trade or seeking custom.
"There are other powers in place and we have fitted cameras, but we feel the section 222 orders could make a real difference.
"It is a case of being as disruptive as we can and trying to drive this away from residential areas as it is having a real impact on the quality of life of those living close by."
Orders will help existing police workHumberside Police support the proposals.
Inspector Craig Mattinson, of the Riverside neighbourhood policing team, said: "Using the Section 222 orders will help with the work we are already carrying out.
"The orders will give the local authority the power to prosecute, which can lead to convictions for soliciting.
"It can help provide us with details of those who breach the order and we can also follow that up.
"We are looking to see if the power of arrest can be added to the orders."
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