Residents in Dominion Street, Tuebrook, say men have been turning up at all hours to a property suspected of being used for illegal sex work, even as children play outside in broad daylight. Video footage reviewed by the Liverpool Echo shows numerous solo men arriving at the address in recent weeks, appearing to look at their phones for directions before being welcomed into the property by women.
Concerns raised previously
The ECHO has previously reported on the property, which is suspected of being used as a base for illegal sex work. A report in September raised concerns about short-term holiday let properties in the city being used in this way, with bookings soaring around the time of major sporting events.
City leaders said this is a growing issue where criminal gangs are thought to be using properties in parts of the city to conduct illegal operations, often advertising them online as short-term or holiday lets. Concerns had been raised about the Dominion Street house, with the police and council investigating.
Residents describe increase in activity
Locals now say the activity surrounding the house has increased, with men turning up at all hours looking for the property. Others are routinely dropped off by taxi at night and welcomed into the house. Women in various states of undress have been seen inside, according to residents.
One woman, who lives in Dominion Street with her young child, told the ECHO: "They seemed to move out for a while after the last (ECHO) article, but they are back now. The other day my three-year-old was playing in the street and a woman walked out with no clothes on at all and then a man walked in."
"This is happening all the time now. Men turn up in the middle of the day, looking at maps on their phones. I'll sit out on the step and see three people coming to the door in a short time. It is madness how blatant they are all being about it, they aren't even trying to hide it."
On one recent evening, the woman said a man actually walked into her house as she had momentarily left the door open. He then made it clear he was looking for the house on the other side of the road, and headed there.
The mother told the ECHO: "We have complained to everyone about this but no one seems to be doing anything to help us. It is quite distressing with the amount of strangers lingering outside our house at all hours, I can hardly sleep at night because of the anxiety."
The woman has shared footage and images with the ECHO which appear to corroborate her story about single men turning up at the property at all hours, often appearing to follow directions on their phones and being welcomed in by women.
Police and council response
Running or managing a property for sex work is illegal under UK law. Merseyside Police told the ECHO they are aware of allegations of "suspicious activity" at the address in Dominion Street.
As well as the anti-social aspects of this activity and its impact on local residents, there are concerns about the dangers this poses for the women involved, many of whom are potentially being trafficked by gangs into these houses, with less visibility as the activity is conducted behind closed doors.
Cllr Joe Dunne, who represents the Tuebrook area on Liverpool City Council, has also received reports about activity taking place at the property in Dominion Street, as well as others in the area. He showed evidence to the ECHO that the property in question is being advertised online for short-term lets, which he says there is no permission for.
He said: "There are children that play out in that street and there is drug dealing taking place, the kids are asking their parents what is going on - it is not a good environment for kids to be exposed to."
In the previous article, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Jeanie Bell said: "It's something that we've dealt with extensively. We have seen an increased use of these properties being used for sex trafficking."
"We have worked with organisations who are able to track women who are being moved across the country through these short-term holiday let houses and trafficked. So, it is a known problem, and it is a big issue."
"I would say it's an uncomfortable truth that it's on the increase. Information that I've heard is that during big sporting events and horse racing events, bookings for these properties will go through the roof for sex workers."
Speaking about the women involved, she added: "We need to keep them safe. Some people choose sex work and that's fine. I believe it is a woman's choice to do whatever she chooses to do with her body, but that has to be her choice and not controlled by somebody else."
"But it is an industry, and you've got to ask, how much autonomy do women have in that industry?"
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We are aware of allegations of suspicious activity taking place at an address on Dominion Street, in Tuebrook. If you have any information, you can DM us @MerPolCC or call 101. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
Liverpool Council previously told the ECHO it is investigating the changing use of the Dominion Street property.
