Probe into Airbnbs used as pop-up brothels
Prostitutes are turning Airbnb properties into pop-up brothels, according to an investigation by BBC South East.
One sex worker told journalists that Airbnbs were ‘cheap and accessible’ and available with ‘just a few clicks’.
She said prostitutes opted for short-term rentals because they were cheaper than renting permanent accommodation and they could avoid rousing the suspicions of their neighbours.
Airbnb released a statement to the BBC saying that it did not condone such behaviour.
While it isn’t against the law to buy or sell sex in the UK, brothels housing more than one sex worker are illegal, yet prostitutes often share accommodation for safety.
A group of MPs has launched an urgent inquiry into pop-up brothels and an all-party parliamentary group’s (APPG) report is due to be published early in the new year.
The inquiry was triggered by growing reports of organised crime groups establishing pop-up brothels to sexually exploit woman, and the APPG is gathering evidence on the scale of the practice, who is involved, and what should be done.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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