FOI 1070/26

REQUEST

Please can you tell me whether the force has a team/operation dedicated to positively engaging and building relationships with sex workers/sex worker liaison officers (and what the name of this team/officers are)?

If yes, please can you tell me:

1. When was this team/operation was set up.
2. How many officers are part of this team/operation (M/F if available).
3. What the specific duties of these officers are (Street workers/premises)
4. Which geographic area they cover.

RESPONSE

South Wales Police, together with partner agencies, actively work with sex workers to educate and safeguard from harm. Before an arrest of a sex worker is made, consideration is given to the provisional of a street referral which is designed to encourage engagement with support agencies and break the cycle of offence and arrest.

South Wales Police has a designated Sex Worker Liaison Officer (SWLO) within Cardiff and Vale BCU (Basic Command Unit), supported through partnership arrangements and neighbourhood policing activity. The role works alongside partner agencies to engage with sex workers, improve safeguarding, support reporting of crime and vulnerability, and strengthen links between statutory and third-sector organisations.

Within Swansea Neath Port Talbot (SNPT) BCU, we do not have a dedicated team; however, there are two RIT (Rape Investigation Team) officers who act as the single points of contact. They have built good relationships over the years with sex workers, including the SWAN Project – Swansea Women’s Aid and will therefore take the lead on any rapes that are reported involving sex workers.

Our Mid Glamorgan BCU do not have a dedicated team. Responsibility would sit with Response Policing and the NPT (Neighbourhood Policing Teams).

Please be advised, the plan is for all BCUs to have a dedicated SWLO.

Question 1

South Wales Police has undertaken work with sex workers and partner agencies for a number of years. In October 2025, governance arrangements within Cardiff and Vale were strengthened through the introduction of a dedicated multi-agency partnership meeting to provide greater coordination, oversight and problem-solving in relation to this area of work.

Question 2

There is currently one designated SWLO within Cardiff and Vale BCU. The role is supported by wider neighbourhood policing resources and partner agencies where appropriate. The officer is female.

Question 3

The duties of the SWLO include building positive relationships with individuals involved in sex work. Identifying vulnerability and safeguarding concerns to then facilitate access to support services through partner agencies. They encourage and support the reporting of crime, developing intelligence relating to vulnerability, exploitation and associated criminality. The officer works with neighbourhood policing teams and partner agencies to address safeguarding and community concerns whilst coordinating engagement and problem-solving activity through established partnership forums.

Question 4

The SWLO covers the Cardiff and Vale area.