Amsterdam to clean up its 'window brothels'

The authorities in Amsterdam says many prostitutes are forced to work in the red light district by criminal gangs

Amsterdam has long been infamous for its 'window brothels', streets lined with windows of women selling themselves for sex.

But now there are changes afoot.

The local government is closing almost half of all its window brothels in a move to clean up its image.

This is happening despite the views of many prostitutes who feel their lives will be endangered without the windows.

The BBC's Tjitske Lingsma reports.

First broadcast 3 February 2010