DRIVERS spotted cruising around Preston's red light area on a regular basis could soon be in for a nasty shock.

For in the latest crackdown on prostitution, the police are writing directly to suspected kerb crawlers warning them to stay away or face the consequences.

The move, part of an ongoing scheme known as Operation Kerb, has already seen 14 letters landing on people's doormats after their cars were spotted once too often driving around Deepdale Road and New Hall Lane areas.

Chief Insp Allan Wyllie of Preston police said: "If a car is seen frequenting, and I emphasise frequenting, they might run the risk of this letter from Lancashire Constabulary dropping through the letter box.

"It's a carefully worded letter just trying to point out that a car has been seen in a red light area.

"At no time have we suggested that anybody has committed any offences. The message I want to get across is if people stay out then they have nothing to worry about.

"We are not making any accusations in the letter."

And if the car is a company vehicle, then the letters will be sent to the firm where it is registered.

The scheme has been welcomed by local councillors.

Veronica Afrin, St Matthew's ward councillor and Preston city council executive member for regeneration, community and leisure, said: "I thoroughly approve -- it's a good thing because Preston, almost uniquely in the Lancashire, has street prostitution.

"Punishing the girls just doesn't work, they simply go back on the streets to pay the fines. The police will try to speak to these people but if they can't, then tough situations need tough solutions.

"If it offends them then maybe it will keep them in Blackburn or wherever it is they come from."

But civil rights groups have raised concerns about the campaign.

A spokesman for Liberty, the national council for civil liberties, urged the police to be cautious. He said: "If people are not committing any crime, why are the letters sent out? And if they are, why aren't they stopped by the police?"

Since the scheme began, kerb crawlers from as far afield as Manchester, London and Scotland have been stopped.

PC Steve Armes, one of the team running the operation, said: "It does worry you because we are wondering why they're coming that far.

"A lot of them are here on business, but there are people coming from Manchester and places like that who don't really have a reason for coming that far except for prostitutes. What are the reasons behind it?

"We've had people stopped from Colne, Blackpool, Lytham, and Barrow-in-Furness.

"We have found that any kerb crawlers we have stopped are extremely embarrassed and concerned. Nine out of ten say something like 'you won't see me again'.

"We hope the letters will have the same affect."