A LEADING councillor said he backed a red light district crackdown on kerb crawlers.

Councillor Ken Walker, chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, said the latest in a series of name-and-shame court days for men caught by police with prostitutes "underlines our commitment to protect communities against anti- social behaviour of all kinds".

He said: "No one likes to see distress caused to families, especially at this time of year.

"But the responsibility lies with those men who think they can come into areas such as Middlesbrough searching for prostitutes, and without any thought for the impact on local people.''

Thirty men answered charges of soliciting women for sex, at Teesside Magistrates' Court.

Coun Walker said: "I hope that it helps to spell out the message that we are not prepared to condone activities which have such a damaging impact on the quality of life for local communities.

"If people don't want to risk the shame of being identified as kerb crawlers the answer is simple: stay away.''

Middlesbrough's Muslim community sent a letter on the issue, and 5,000-name petition, to Home Secretary Jack Straw.

The mosque committee calls in its letter for Mr Straw to consider making kerb crawling a traffic offence with penalty points for drivers, while giving police powers to seize the offenders' cars.

Community leader Mobeen Mehdi said: "The letter tells him the community is very much concerned about what is happening in the area, and the fact that it happens outside the mosque makes it even more difficult and distressing."