Eight arrests and 12 cautions were given out during a police operation targeting prostitution in Ilford.

During Operation Clearlight there were also arrests for drug offences and drink-driving as well as two kerb-crawlers being given acceptable behaviour contracts.

Sgt Lee Wilkinson, of Loxford Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “It has a positive impact but there are still problems and we know there’s still more work to do.”

Mr Wilkinson said that a prostitute had been given an antisocial behaviour order and was banned from Loxford or Clementswood for two years.