Council launches crackdown on prostitution

The deputy mayor of Palma, José Manuel Sierra, yesterday denied claims that the city council's drive to increase security in the San Antonio area of the capital and crack down on prostitution, will not only be a police operation. Sierra said yesterday that the council has decided to take action in response to concerns and fears for personal safety expressed by residents in the area. Sierra denied that the area will merely be swamped by police, explaining that the local police and the city council will be working together in order to meet the needs of the general public. He said that there is an obvious problem with safety in the neighbourhood which has got to be dealt with. Some of the measures include restricted access to the area after dark, better street lighting and more police on the beat.