Amanda Jane Reilly, 22, from Pershore Road, has been issued with a criminal anti-social behaviour order, which West Midlands Police said is the first to be handed to a prostitute in the area.

The order is similar to an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) - a measure designed to prevent anti-social behaviour of all kinds - but is issued by the magistrate at the same time as an offender is convicted and is based on that person's criminal history.

An Asbo must be applied for through the Crown Prosecution Service and requires documented evidence to be gathered before a specially-arranged hearing.

Crasbos are an extremely quick and efficient method of ensuring that persistent offenders can be dealt with robustly DCI Russell Smith

The order - which police have dubbed a "Crasbo" - was issued following Reilly's arrest on 6 May for loitering, after which she was charged and bailed to appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court.

The next day she was arrested for failing to appear at a previous court hearing.

The magistrate then agreed to grant the order after an officer presented evidence of Reilly's persistent prostitution.

It bans the 22-year-old from entering the Edgbaston area and from loitering anywhere in England and Wales for three years.

Detective Chief Inspector Russell Smith, from Rose Road police station in Harborne, said: "I am delighted that this first Crasbo against a prostitute has been issued.

Persistent offenders

"Soliciting is a problem that blights the Edgbaston area and we will do everything we can to eradicate it.

"Crasbos are an extremely quick and efficient method of ensuring that persistent offenders can be dealt with robustly, should they re-offend after conviction.

"This helps us in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and making the local communities safer places to be," he said.

Reilly is to appear at Birmingham Crown Court accused of breaking the terms of the order, after two officers arrested her for walking in the restricted area within four hours of her appearance in court.