Merseyside model for tackling crime against sex workers

A high proportion of violent crimes and rapes committed against sex workers rarely result in convictions in the UK.

The average national conviction rate for alleged rapes is just 6.5%.

The Greater London Authority's Silence on Violence report found that sex workers in London are at least 12 times more likely to be murdered than the national average.

The report also found that sex workers felt they cannot safely report crime to the police.

Writer Ruth Jacobs, formerly in prostitution herself, investigates why violent crimes against sex workers often go unpunished.

She meets Fiona MacTaggart MP, from the All Parliamentary Group on Prostitution, who says the police need to do more to protect women in the sex trade from violent attacks and rape.

The same offenders are often those who go on to attack other members of society.

Inside Out looks at a revolutionary model of policing prostitution run by Merseyside Police which has a 67% success rate on convictions for rapes against sex workers.

Inside Out is broadcast on BBC One London and North West on Monday 21, October at 19:30 BST and nationwide on the iPlayer for seven days thereafter.