ARRESTING sex workers serves no purpose, Wiltshire's police commissioner said.

Speaking on the international day to end violence against sex workers, Angus Macpherson said women involved in the trade were among society's most vulnerable.

"Here, the police try to avoid arresting and actively prosecuting sex workers – it serves no purpose as they get a fine and then have to go back on to the street to pay it off," said Mr Macpherson, Wiltshire and Swindon's police and crime commissioner.

"Police take a different approach with the punters. Our officers regularly work a variety of night time hours to actively seek punters in areas like Manchester Road in Swindon and prosecute as necessary."

On street sex work remains a feature of the Swindon sex trade. But increasingly, vice officers have seen the growth of pop-up brothels. They include a Chinese massage parlour on Commercial Road closed by order of the magistrates in November.