Call to close lap dancing loophole

12.00.00am GMT Tue 10th Mar 2009

Joint Council Leader Richard Brett (Lib Dem, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill) has voiced concerns about aspects of draft legislation designed to check the proliferation of lap dancing clubs.

The draft Policing and Crime Bill proposes to reclassify lap dancing clubs as 'sex encounter venues'. This will give local councils powers over the number of clubs and where they operate by putting them in the same category as sex shops and pornographic cinemas.

However, a clause in the draft Bill will exempt venues hosting lap dancing less than once a month. There are fears that this will lead to travelling strip clubs, frequently moving from venue to venue, putting on regular shows but remaining out of the scope of the new regulations.

Cllr Brett welcomed the government's decision to take action on the issue but called for this loophole to be closed.

"I very much welcome the government's keenness to act on this issue. Lap dancing clubs have proliferated in Leeds at an alarming rate in recent years and as a local authority, we have been able to do very little to stop them.

"Nevertheless, legislation needs to be watertight if it is to be effective.

"The prospect of mobile lap dancing clubs travelling from venue to venue, out of reach of the licensing regime completely undermines the stated purpose of the legislation. It is important that the government shuts this loophole."