PLANS for "mini-brothels" where up to three women can work together more safely won backing last night from a North-East force praised for its zero tolerance strategy.

Cleveland Police threw its weight behind the controversial proposal to change the law, probably to allow two sex workers and a receptionist - or maid - to work under the same roof.

The force has been praised by the Government for reducing street prostitution in Middlesbrough by "naming and shaming" kerb crawlers, trapping 339 over the past two years.

Chief Inspector Gary Gamesby said: "I don't see why this can't work in increasing safety, as long as it doesn't cause any problems in the community.

"It would be something we would closely monitor, to ensure what the women were doing was through choice and to make sure there was no element of organised crime involved."

Durham and North Yorkshire forces declined to comment on the proposal, both insisting prostitution was a very small problem in their areas.

Last night, the Association of Chief Police Officers said women working in mini-brothels would need to apply for planning permission because they would be business premises.

A spokesman said: "The community would have a formal right to object to the local authority. Failure to register for change of use could render any prostitutes operating liable to prosecution."

At present, only lone prostitutes can offer sex from a property, but ministers are convinced that women working in pairs can better protect themselves from violent customers.

Under the strategy unveiled yesterday, police and local authorities will be urged to copy Middlesbrough by tackling the problem of kerb-crawlers, including taking away their driving licences.

A new penalty for soliciting will allow courts to direct women into drug or alcohol programmes, rather than fining them, which could force them back onto the streets.

And ministers promised to expand the "Ugly Mugs" scheme running in some areas, which lets prostitutes know about violent clients.

But the Government abandoned plans for licensed "red-light zones", saying evidence from other countries proved they increased crime and nuisance to neighbours.

Home Office Minister Fiona MacTaggart said: "Managed zones seem like a good idea, but when you look at whether it makes things safer and tolerable for the community, it isn't true.

It would give men "comfort" that using sex workers was acceptable, when the government was determined not to "encourage the commercial sale of women's bodies".

Can selling sex ever be safe? - Page 10