THE number of children convicted for child prostitution in the North West has doubled, according to a new report out today from the Children's Society.

But the number of convictions for prostitution among young girls in East Lancashire remains low, despite a national increase.

Twenty one girls under 18 were convicted for prostitution in the region and 20 were cautioned in 1996, around twice the number the previous year, with a growing number of 14 to 16-year-olds working the streets.

But in East Lancashire there were just two cautions of girls aged 17 and one conviction of another 17-year-old. The figure is one of the lowest for any area in the country with London, Cleveland and Greater Manchester the worst areas for offences.

Sergeant Steve Shepherd head of the Blackburn-based plain clothes division said: "We do have one girl aged 16 who we believe is involved in prostitution but that is a very isolated case.

"There is no problem in this area with child prostitution. The prostitutes we know of are in their 20s and 30s."

In Burnley, it seems the sex trade is either well hidden or virtually non-existent.

"I've worked in the area for 15 years and I'm not aware of any charges," said a senior police officer.

"That's not to say prostitutes don't exist but they don't ply their trade on the streets. There is no red light district as such."

However, the figures released by the Children's Society make worrying reading. The most shocking is the conviction of an 11-year-old girl in London.

The Society's chief executive Ian Sparks said: "The rise in prosecutions is alarming.

"We know that many police forces around the country have taken a more enlightened approach towards children on the streets so the figures are a real shock.

"Criminalising children for being victims of abuse is a bad law and dangerous practice. It alienates children from organisations which could help them escape their plight."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.