FOI 27764

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: HRC0027764/26

I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 27^th August 2026. Please find below the response to your request:

Please can you tell me whether the force has a team/operation dedicated to positively engaging and building relationships with sex workers/sex worker liaison officers (and what the name of this team/officers are)?

If yes, please can you tell me:

1. When was this team/operation was set up.
2. How many officers are part of this team/operation (M/F if available).
3. What the specific duties of these officers are (Street workers/premises)
4. Which geographic area they cover.

Reply

Please can you tell me whether the force has a team/operation dedicated to positively engaging and building relationships with sex workers/sex worker liaison officers (and what the name of this team/officers are)?

Yes – A force wide Team of Sex Work Liaison Officers have been recruited and are sat within departments across the force.

If yes, please can you tell me:

1. When was this team/operation was set up.

In June 2026, West Mercia Police recruited our first ever Sex Worker Liaison Officers with 27 members of staff being trained across various departments. A further course is planned for September 2027. Recruitment for the September course is ongoing.

1. How many officers are part of this team/operation (M/F if available).

Currently all 27 trained officers are female.

1. What the specific duties of these officers are (Street workers/premises)

Sex Worker Liaison Officers play a critical role in safeguarding and supporting sex workers, while developing intelligence to identify and disrupt those who exploit or cause harm. The role focuses on building trust, identifying vulnerability, and enabling effective multi-agency responses.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain professional, trusted relationships with identified sex workers
• Build confidence to enable disclosure, identify vulnerability, and develop intelligence
• Act as a single point of contact and subject‑-matter reference for colleagues and partner agencies
• Support early intervention and prevention strategies to maximise safety and reduce harm
• Facilitate intelligence gathering to target offenders involved in exploitation and serious organised crime
• Work closely with partner agencies to plan interventions and provide long‑-term support
• Support proactive operational activity conducted across the force
• Provide a supporting role to investigation teams and victims

1. Which geographic area they cover.

SWLO’s have been recruited to cover the force area.