Tom Wood: Liberal policing

Deputy chief constable Tom Wood has been a key player in liberalising policing of Edinburgh's prostitutes.

The Lothian and Borders force recently announced that a pragmatic approach to the policing of street prostitution would continue in a new "minimal enforcement zone" in the city's Leith area.

Since the rapid spread of HIV infection in Edinburgh during the 1980s police have been more tolerant in allowing prostitutes to congregate in certain areas as it made the work of health agencies much easier.

Mr Wood did not call for decriminalisation or legalisation of prostitution but said, for public health and safety reasons, a full review of existing legislation should be a priority.

Public safety aspects

"It is not for me to recommend a change in the law because I'm in the business of applying the law not making the law.

"But this is one area where we have on the one hand what the letter of the law says and on the other hand what is practically possible in the 21st century.

"There is a growing gap in between these two positions.

"Many members of the public seem to have a view that we should look on this more tolerantly and prioritise the public health and public safety aspects of it."

Former bishop Richard Holloway: Legalise brothels

Former Bishop of Edinburgh Richard Holloway said Scotland should not turn its back on the vulnerable women involved.

He said he did not agree with prostitution but argued that legalising brothels was the only way to offer the prostitutes adequate protection.

"We need to start protecting the women. They are a very vulnerable group. Most of the prostitutes are socio-economically deprived people who are in this for their family.

"They are doing something for a righteous reason and they open themselves to danger and abuse.

"It seems to me that, if we can't lift them out of poverty by any other means, we owe them protection.

"It is stupid to try to deny something which is happening."