Police hope CCTV cameras will help cut down the number of prostitutes operating in Enfield.

André Smith, Safer Neighbourhood Sergeant for Upper Edmonton, says prostitution has been a problem in the borough for the last ten years.

But with a new domehawk camera in place and another one due to be installed within the month, he is optimistic the culprits will be easier to track down.

Sex workers can usually be found loitering at night in the southern end of Fore Street, Snells Park and Langhedge Lane where the new camera has been installed.

Although a couple of women operating in the area come from Enfield, Tottenham or Barking, most are from Eastern European with the vast majority being Romanian.

Sgt Smith said: “It’s a different world on those streets at night.

“When you speak to the women, some say they lived in Romania but the money’s not good - they were approached by someone who asked them to come to England to earn more money and they did. Others are already prostitutes in Romania.

“But as well as the women we also have to tackle the handlers who bring the prostitutes to the streets and the curb crawlers. They are the ones driving it.”

Owing to legislation, officers can only arrest someone for prostitution following two previous cautions within a three month period.

A total of 12 arrests have been made since October last year as well as approximately 60 cautions, with six of those given during an operation at the end of last month.

Two months ago police also closed down a brothel operating in Fore Street.

Sgt Smith said: “A lot of legislation got brought in because of those women who are drug dependent. We try to help them fight the habit by referring them to outreach programmes and to the council.”

Sgt Smith also wants to get a mobile sexual health clinic to attend the area as well as health officers to provide advice and support for the women.