Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been referred to drug and alcohol dependency programmes under Section 17 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 since that Act came into force.

As we set out in the Government's response to the Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC), we are committed to tackling the harm and exploitation that can be associated with prostitution and sex work, and believe that people who want to leave prostitution should be given every opportunity to escape it. Our response additionally sets out that the Government will work with other Government departments, researchers and academics to develop a comprehensive, impartial understanding of the nature, prevalence and composition of prostitution and sex work in England and Wales.

This report will form the basis to review the effectiveness of current legislation, including Sections 14 and 17 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009.

Data on Engagement and Support Orders made under section 17 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 are not held centrally.