"The whole thing about my work is to get it done in the
shortest time, in the safest way, for the most money"


Okay, so you are a street based sex worker and you’ve worked the streets for years. You know how to suss out dodgy situations and dodgier punters. But what about the girls who are new to the beat, how do they look out for potentially violent situations?

Cheetham Hill beat girls got together to offer their expertise of ‘sussing it’ while ‘working it’ on the beat.

[Dressing for street work……]

[#] Wear clothes that you don’t have to take off
[#] Wear comfortable shoes that you can run in if need be
[#] Avoid long scarves, necklaces or anything that can be pulled or grabbed.

"I try to look attractive, obviously to get more business,
but I always wear my trainers so I’m ready to dust"



[On the Streets……]

Its not only punters that you should be wary of on the streets. There are other working girls and their partners that might tax you. And all those weirdo ‘sex tourists’ that hang about round red light districts. Then there’s angry residents or vigilantes. Street work is definitely ‘risky business’ its important to reduce these risks as much as possible.

[#] Try to work on a familiar beat, if it’s new to you get some tips from the other street workers.
[#] Work with other sex workers so you can look out for each other and take down car registrations.
[#] Don’t work in isolated areas; even if you have bail conditions, curfews or a warrant out, try to work in an area with other sex workers.
[#] Don’t be doing too many drugs or drinking, they will alter how you assess safe or unsafe situations.
[#] Don’t tax the punters. They’ll come looking for you and you’ll piss the other girls off.
[#] Suss out the going rate for business
[#] Try to arrange the price before getting in the car
[#] Don’t put all your money in one place, split it up.
[#] Try to let other street workers you trust know where you take your punters.
[#] Wave to the other street workers or pretend to. Don’t let the punter think you are working alone.
[#] Work away from residential areas, you’ll only get nicked when the residents complain.

[And in the car……]

"Sometimes you can tell a sicko when he asks you for business, but other times they appear dead nice. And then they just turn"

Once you are in ‘his’ car you are in a vulnerable position. Always think about your exit route, or ways to talk yourself out of a dangerous situation.

[#] Before you get in the car, have a good look. Make sure there’s no one hiding in the back. Be extra careful with vans, you can’t always see if anyone’s in the back.
[#] Go with your instincts, if he’s acting weird, sack it!
[#] Don’t take drinks from punters, they could be spiked.
[#] Familiarise yourself with different cars and getting out of them. Try to wind down the window before you get in the car, remember, central locking is out of your control.
[#] Get your money up front and you decide where to do business, don’t let the punter decide.
[#] Decide how much time you want to spend with the punter.
[#] Try to do business in the front and you be on top.
[#] Don’t let the punter block the passenger door when he parks up, always make sure you can get out.
[#] Always have your personal alarm handy, its no good in the bottom of your bag.

[If it comes down to it……Defending yourself]

"Punters can tell if you’re ‘out of it’ on brown or stone and they can smell alcohol. Some of them think that’s a license to treat you anyway they want to, and the thing is, when you’ve been hammering the drugs, you’re not as sharp as you normally are to deal with it."


[#] Don’t carry a weapon, it could be taken off you and used against you
[#] Try to walk or run away from trouble, preferably against traffic, don’t fight back unless you have to.
[#] If you need to shout for help try shouting fire! You may get a better response.
[#] If you need to defend yourself attack soft areas such as eyes, throat, adam’s apple, inside of nose, testicles, feet and shins.
[#] If you are trapped in a car, or are being abducted try to break a window, shout, scream, hit the horn, use your attack alarm and make as much noise as possible.
[#] Try to find out the punters name and use it when you’re trying to talk yourself out of the situation. Remember as many details about the punter and the car so that you can report it to other street workers.

[And finally……]

If you are assaulted or have anything to report about a dodgy punter there are ways you can do this. The outreach workers on your beat can take details and pass them on to the police anonymously, or you can report any incidents to the police directly., and if you need support with this, just ask the outreach workers. You can also use the dodgy punters board on the MASH van or at the STASH drop in to warn other working girls about dodgy punters. You can get a personal attack alarm from the outreach workers on the MASH van, or at STASH. It might buy you time if you are attacked and alert passers by.
Remember there is safety in numbers, even if you’re not particular friendly with the other street workers, remember you’re all out there for the same reason and it pays to look out for one another. Respect!