Prostitutes are being warned not to travel to Coventry after it emerged some have been coming to work the city's streets from as far away as Wolverhampton.

Police in the Hillfields area of Coventry have launched an anti-prostitution operation with officers set aside to address the problem.

A combination of high-profile patrols and undercover officers will be used to target both prostitutes and kerb crawlers.

Police say women caught working the streets will be given the chance to leave the city, but will be arrested if they return.

Prostitution and kerb crawling will not be tolerated in Coventry - don't come to this city Inspector Nick Clark

Men suspected of kerb crawling will be arrested and photographed and could be compelled to give fingerprints and DNA samples.

Inspector Nick Clark said: "We have been working hard with members of the local community to stop this trade and have been pleased with the results.

Zero tolerance

"However, intelligence shows that prostitutes from as far afield as Wolverhampton and Rugby have started to travel to Coventry to work because of the crackdowns in those areas.

"High profile and undercover officers will be patrolling the area as we will not tolerate this behaviour.

"Kerb crawlers are also being targeted and under the Criminal Justice and Police Act which give us the power to arrest these offenders," he added.

"Our message is simple; prostitution and kerb crawling will not be tolerated in Coventry - don't come to this city."