KERB crawlers in Preston face home visits from police forcing them to explain their actions as part of the operation targeting prostitution.

Operation Diversion literally hit the streets on Friday, with high-visibility patrols in red-light districts.

The patrols are complemented by a poster campaign, warning kerb-crawlers that they will be targeted.

Officers are working with the Crown Prosecution Service, local magistrates and drug action teams to tackle the problem using curfews and encouraging girls to seek treatment for any drug habits.

Residents have welcomed the new tougher measures from police after an escalation in the number of girls working the streets in recent months.

Chief Inspector David Baines said that the operation's aim was to improve the quality of life for the residents.

He said: "We are working with other agencies instead of just arresting the girls, seeing them go straight back out onto the streets."

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