By Doug Morris

Police in Middlesbrough are to ask the courts to confiscate the cars of persistent kerb crawlers.

In an unprecedented move the vice unit in the town is looking for a suitable case to prosecute, BBC News has learned.

At the moment kerb crawlers receive a typical fine of between �200-�400.

The police are upping the stakes in a move designed to deter men from travelling to the town to buy sex.

Middlesbrough is the only part of north east England with a large street prostitution problem, which changed in the 1990s from the "traditional" prostitutes who worked principally in the area of the docks on the Tees, to young heroin addicts selling sex in order to fund their habits.

If we catch persistent kerb crawlers we will ask the courts to remove their vehicle

Inspector Gary Gamesby

The recent arrival of crack cocaine on Teesside has only made matters worse.

The vice unit from Cleveland police know that they will have to prove that anyone they pursue in court is a very persistent offender.

The Crown Prosecution Service says it is an unprecedented step to take.

But Inspector Gary Gamesby of Cleveland police is determined that they will pursue suitable cases.

Car auctions

"If a person has used property to facilitate the commission of a crime, ie, the vehicle, we will ask the courts to confiscate that vehicle.

"If we catch persistent kerb crawlers we will ask the courts to remove their vehicle from them."

If cars are taken away from kerb crawlers they will be sold at auction or for scrap, with the proceeds going back to the police.

If a vehicle is suitable it could even be used by the force.

Those who want to get the women off the streets say that anything that highlights the anti-social nature of kerb crawlers is worth it.

Wendy Parker, who is the Barnardos SECOS project manager, believes that men who pursue prostitutes should have their lifestyles disrupted.

On the streets BBC News spoke to a woman who has been working as a prostitute for three years.

'Horrible men'

"Louise", who is 20 years old, has a �50-a-day heroin habit and is three months pregnant.

She said that she had been lucky.

"I've only ever had two nasty men. One where I got raped and one just beat me up and took me money off me... the rest have always been alright.

"They're horrible men like, but... it's just the money isn't it."

And she was sure that moves to impound cars would be effective.

I doubt that anyone would come here if there was a chance of losing your car

Arrested punter

"Most of them come from far away, Newcastle, Sunderland and that. They're not going to take a train journey all the way down here, are they?"

Her words were echoed by a man arrested when the BBC was filming with the Cleveland vice squad.

He had travelled a long way to visit a Middlesbrough prostitute.

"I'm in shock to be honest. The people in the pub come down to this area to see the girls, and they never have a problem" he said.

"They come quite often. So for me to come and this happen, I suppose it's unlucky on my part."

So does he think that impounding the cars of persistent offenders would have an effect?

"I doubt that anyone would come here if there was a chance of losing your car. Would you?"