POLICE and council officials say they are committed to helping women and men out of street-based sex work.

Residents of Springbourne and East Cliff say there are ongoing issues with prostitution in the area, with men often seen speaking to sex workers in the Southcote Road area.

However, representatives from Dorset Police and Bournemouth council have said the problem is a "complex" one, with few easy solutions.

Sophie Ricketts, who works in housing and communities, said many agencies work together to try and help people involved in sex work.

"It's all about support," she said.

"There are a lot of good outcomes from providing that."

At a residents' meeting in the summer of 2017, the council's community safety manager Andy Williams said it was "worth just using the starting point that women who work in street prostitution are the most vulnerable women living in our communities today".

He told residents angered by the issue: "Often, many of them would have been victims of child and sexual abuse, which is often what has led them getting into class A drug addiction and street sex work."

Many of those attending the meeting in July said sex workers in the area caused anti-social behaviour, with one mum saying her children felt "intimidated".

However, at a follow-up meeting which took place earlier this month, chair Mark Elkins said there seemed to be less frustration and anger about the issue.

"Last time, there were a lot of voices, and a lot of people were vocal about the problem," he said.

"I'm guessing that means the situation has improved somewhat."

However, resident Mike Barling said: "I understand people aren't reporting it.

"It has been going on for a long time."

He added: "We can only phone so many times. There shouldn't be any surprise with what we're hearing here."

Ms Ricketts said much work was taking place "behind the scenes", but said she is currently unable to go into further details.

"We are aware it does have an impact on residents," she added.

Sergeant Ashley White said there is no "quick fix".

"Some of the people we are dealing with have very, very complex needs," she said.

"This is a group of people who often have massive, deep-rooted issues that police can't fix.

"That's why we have a multi-agency approach.

"It's an absolute last resort to arrest these women."

However, she said police did arrest men for soliciting sex. Many of those arrested will be encouraged to join educational programme Change.

Last summer, the council said it had supported 75 sex workers.

Mr Williams said: "We do still see new people coming into the market, but there are fewer working than there were a few years ago.

"A lot of them are working later at night."