Traders lash out at hookers

By Melissa Meehan
SHOPKEEPERS in Thomas Street are calling on police to crack down on prostitution on Dandenong streets.
One shopkeeper, who wished not to be named in fear of retribution, said up to six prostitutes working on the corner of Scott and Thomas Street were affecting his business and others in the street.
“They approach our customers and that is off-putting for a lot of them,” he said.
“We would all prefer that they left the area.”
He said he had contacted police but they had done nothing to make the women leave.
“It is not like Hollywood,” he said.
“They don’t dress in short skirts and have big hair, but it is a well-known fact what they are doing here.”
Region 5 Inspector Charlie Allen said street prostitution was illegal and shopkeepers should contact police with their concerns.
“We have not received many reports,” Insp Allen said.
“And the ones we have, have been spasmodically.”
He said prostitution was not a systematic issue in Dandenong and that licensed brothels were licensed by the local council.
“We encourage all members of the public to provide us with information that we can act on,” he said.
“If you call police, we will come out.”