Prostitution is casually referred to as the world's oldest profession, but this adage belies the dark nature of the business the destruction it causes to the lives of those working in the industry, and the daily disruption heaped on those living next to it.
Seven Sisters, the Harringay Ladder and Finsbury Park were identified as the borough's red-light districts by the London Assembly this week, but a report unearthed by this newspaper also reveals that Haringey has up to sex workers operating from homes and brothels.
The report by the Poppy Project, a charity which helps prostitutes find a way out of the sex industry, makes a cautious estimate of 23 brothels in Haringey. The investigation also revealed that four of these venues had special treatment' licenses from Haringey Council, enabling them to offer massage services. A cursory glance on the internet also unveils a plethora of massage parlours selling sex in Crouch End and Hornsey.
A web site, which gives punters' those using prostitutes the opportunity to exchange notes, has graphic reviews of dozens of women in the west of the borough. According to the London Assembly report, street prostitution is the most pernicious part of the sex industry.
Haringey police have cracked down on the red-light district in Seven Sisters during the last year. While swoops on certain locations used to result in 20 to 30 arrests, these streets are usually quiet now. Sergeant Jonathan Davis, who has worked on many of these operations, said: "The problem in Seven Sisters has been almost completely eradicated.
