 The committee found no link between crime and the sex shops |
Campaigners have failed in their bid to close two sex shops in an area blighted by drugs and prostitution. The two shops in Reading's Oxford Road will stay open after Reading Borough Council renewed their licences.
The licensing committee rejected arguments that the shops were linked to, or would encourage, what they called the "drug-fuelled sex trade".
"Having considered all the evidence we feel there is no reason for refusing to renew the licences," the chairman said.
"The council will continue to work with the police and other agencies to reduce the level of drug-related crime along the Oxford Road," said Councillor Bet Tickner.
"It is clear that the presence of sex workers there is linked to the use of Class A drugs and that young women are being lured into prostitution by drug pushers.
"The committee found no evidence to suggest there is any link between this drug-fuelled sex trade and the two licensed sex shops in the Oxford Road."
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