Managing and Regulating Red Light Districts in British Cities

Abstract

Red light districts have long been a traditional feature of many British cities, but the last two to three years has witnessed growing interest in and policy debate concerning the ways in which the state seeks to regulate the oldest profession. This short article offers a brief introduction to prostitution, focuses particularly on street prostitution and red light districts, and examines the arguments for and against the introduction of formally delimited ‘tolerance zones’ for prostitution. The article draws its illustrative material from the recent policy debates in Scotland and specifically from three Scottish cities, namely Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.