Worsley Road Brothel
Hopefully an ASB Closure order will shut this place down.
I’m pleased to report more progress in getting the brothel on Worsley Road shut. The place has been making local residents’ lives hell for years and it’s been a real struggle to deal with the problem – partly because the folks running the place have intimidated many of those who might have been willing to speak out. I’ve been working on this issue since before I became a councillor for the ward in 2007 – progress is tortuously slow because the legislation is so weak.
After lots of pressure from many directions was placed upon the police and local council some raids were carried out and computers seized and inspected. A man has now pleaded guilty to running a brothel and will be sentenced this month. This means that we can stop pussy-footing around and finally get some action taken. One of the problems has been that the council would not deal with the place for fear of being sued. Now that someone has been found guilty the council can use and Antisocial Behaviour Closure to try to shut the place down – a process that has begun.
Much of the recent impetus to deal with the brothel in recent times has come from our current Neighbourhood Police Inspector (I had little joy trying to persuade his predecessor to take action) – so I’d like to thank him and his officers for the work they put in.
Given poor state of the legislation for dealing with brothels which cause the level of nuicance that this has I intend to write to our local MP about the issue and will be contacting local residents for their support.
1:26 pm on July 2nd, 2009
Out of interest – how has it caused such a nuisance and made local residents lives hell? I’ve no idea what it would be like living near one (I wouldn’t be thrilled about the idea) but I’d expect people coming and going from there would try to be as discreet and low key as possible. Is that not the case? How has it caused so many problems for the neighbours? Thanks.
2:52 pm on July 2nd, 2009
I am really pleased over all the work you have done over this brothel. It must have been extremely hard but of course Im sure the residents will be thrilled at your sucess.
Regards
Joe
3:23 pm on July 2nd, 2009
Joanne – there have been huge parking problems on the back streets (the punters don’t want to be seen parking in the establishment’s car park), running fights in the streets, glaring lights from the building, excessive noise, intimidation from the brothel-keepers, vandalism etc.
Joe – well I’m certainly pleased that the effort we’ve put in has paid off – the neighbourhood management team; councillors; council officers; police and residents have been pushing for so long. I’ve lost count of the number of times it’s been raised at local meetings and of the number of times I’ve had to relay complaints received via my surgeries in the area. Of course the worry is that if closed it will just open right up again as it has in the past when we’ve had it closed down.
7:28 pm on July 2nd, 2009
Good work Steve but it seems you can’t please everyone, Richard Carvath is more than a little miffed because he thinks that your claiming credit for his work !
Ps I’ll be about this weekend if I can drop in the sponsorship money
9:07 pm on July 2nd, 2009
If Richard thinks I’m claiming credit he’s mistaken – a lot of people have been trying to get the place shut for a long time; many since before I became a councillor. The brothel’s been there over a decade. I’m just pleased with the recent developments and I know that it’s the result of the steady application of pressure from many, myself included, over a long period. What is important is that residents can see the results of actions from the local police and from those acting on their behalf.
As for the weekend (thanks Roger) I’ll be in and out – there’s the Victoria Park consultation for a start, and our allotment needs attention – best ring ahead.
9:29 pm on July 2nd, 2009
I do find it astonishing that Steve makes no mention of me by name, despite in his last comment mentioning several things which can only possibly be references to and/or the results of my activities or those of the BrothelWatch team I set up. He credits everyone except me! I know I’m a political rival but please, show some respect. I’ve been generous enough to compliment Steve on his work on several occasions so I must say I’m appalled at his snub, the more so because he knows very well about my involvement. It’s not the issue of taking credit that’s most important here – lots of people are aware of my role – but for Steve to omit to mention me entirely is actually insulting [imagine if he'd omitted to mention the Police] and is tantamount to a deliberate deception. I’m not easily annoyed but when I’ve been involved in countless hours of voluntary surveillance work re this brothel at my own expense [no councillors expenses obviously], masses of email writing, going to the cop shop and council offices, when I’ve had sinister phone calls, death threats made in person, crazy libellous internet articles by amateur journos and more… I do expect Steve Cooke to give me a mention despite me not being a Lib Dem!
9:39 pm on July 2nd, 2009
You’ll take someone’s eye out with that dummy if you keep spitting it out like that you know Richard old boy.
You are aware that Steve has said he’s been working on this for over two years not just a few months aren’t you
10:34 pm on July 2nd, 2009
Huh! Steve and I both know what we’ve each done on this, working towards the same aim albeit acting completely independently of each other.
It’s a fine line to tread, avoiding making your opponents look good, and how to blow your own trumpet enough to impress the electorate without going OTT – because voters do need to see evidence of action and success – but missing me off altogether was out of order in my opinion. I wouldn’t have done the same to Steve.
Politics is a rough and dirty business but I expect high standards from Steve so I’ll put this one down to ‘a bad day at the office’. Steve is generally better behaved than this.
10:39 pm on July 2nd, 2009
Bless it sounds like you could really do with having your trumpet blown too Richard reading some of the comments on Salfordonline.
11:03 pm on July 2nd, 2009
I am at a loss for words about some of the comments on Salford Online! The story about Kurdish gangsters is actually true. As for Sarah Whatmore… I should be so lucky! I’ll be 33 at the time of the election. As for just about anything else… no comment!
7:28 am on July 3rd, 2009
For the record Richard – well done for the work you’ve put in and I’m truly sorry to hear that you have been the recipient of such harassment. Also for the record – I was not aware of the extent of you activities – I confess that I very rarely visit your blog and it’s not as if we correspond or meet to discuss your activities. I’m glad that you have contributed to the current closure.
9:59 am on July 3rd, 2009
How the hell do you know they where “gangsters” Richard ?? That just sums up you in a nutshell.
You have a meal in a restaurant that is mostly frequented by members of an ethnic group = They where all gangsters
You have an argument with a woman running a brothel = Threats to kill
Someone questions your stance on policies = Political “enemies”
Some students pose for a charity calender naked but completely covered = You call them “prostitutes”
Just like all your talk about your “extensive surveillance” , most people will take that with a grain of salt (well a whole barrel full more like” ) You’ve ACTUALLY done what? been there three times and taken some pictures ???
You try and make things sound like a script for Mission Impossible 4 with your talk of your “A Team”!
You exaggerate events to an unbelievable degree and it might well benefit you to read the fable of the boy that cried wolf Richard then you wonder why people disbelieve or ridicule you ??
Stick to the actual facts, Steve has explained that he has been attending meetings and protesting to the police since 2007, no exaggerating or “bigging up” his involvement and the most important FACT that you gather from Steve’s opening statement his that he is happy that action has been taken and not as concerned with personal glory.
It might help you to learn from his actions Richard (you won’t but thats up to you)
1:47 pm on July 3rd, 2009
Once more anonymous Roger Berry tosses his turds. I do not exaggerate. Take a look at Roger’s last comment if you want a masterclass in exaggeration, fabrication and wild, unfounded speculation.
To Steve: thanks, and I recognise your work too – and not forgetting Joe O’Neill either.
2:16 pm on July 3rd, 2009
Again Richard be specific what part of what I’ve said is wrong ??
You’ve just come on here and said the story about “gangsters” was true How did you know they where gangsters ??? Or was this just another example of your adversion to “multic
What EXACTLY have you done Richard? I’m not belittling you having made a contribution but come on “The A team” and “Constant surveillance” etc !!!
2:19 pm on July 3rd, 2009
I’m not answerable to an anonymous turd-tosser. There is no need of me to answer a time-wasting wind-up merchant; to do so would be more fool me.
2:58 pm on July 3rd, 2009
Don’t worry about it Richard I’m sure that everyone will draw their own conclusions about your calling the people in the restaurant gangsters. (in fact quite a few people already have) it shows racial prejudice and nothing less.
The general feeling on Salford online seem be be that you’d be about as useful representing Salford as a chocolate fire guard would be in a smelting works.
4:51 pm on July 3rd, 2009
Please stop wasting my time. I’m not interested in anything you have to say about me. You clearly have a passionate hatred of me but why keep on telling me about it? If you want to persist in your hatred then set up your own blog and do it on that rather than keep following me round Steve’s and Mole’s blogs because I have no interest in engaging with you in your current condition.
5:42 pm on July 3rd, 2009
Translated that means “Put my foot in it again and shown my true racist colours so I’ll just pretend it never happened and put it down to enemies”
8:02 pm on July 3rd, 2009
The excrement you write about me really is unbelievable and outrageous. This time it’s a libel of racism! I repeat if you really want to persist in being an anti-Carvath turd tosser you should set up your own blog to do it on rather than keep posting excrement over this blog and Mole’s blog.
It is telling that most of the comments you make on the LD blogs have nothing to do with the original article but are just attacks on me; it’s grown rather wearisome so why not constrain yourself to commenting on articles rather than simply launching into an OTT attack on me every time I comment on an article?
I’m not going to engage you in conversation because you have well and truly ‘marked your card’. If you’ve no other agenda than attacking me, may I suggest you stop muck-spreading on other people’s blogs and set up your own blog where you can write excrement about me to your heart’s content without irritating everybody who has a genuine interest in Steve’s and Mole’s blogs.
11:02 pm on July 3rd, 2009
Richard for the last time will you get this into your head PLEASE…
I have no personal interest in you whatsoever, I do have some serious issues with SOME of your policies.
I think your views on wanting to discriminate on women in the police force and your attitude in calling any models who do even covered up glamour type shots prostitutes is a disgrace.
Your whole mindset towards homosexuality and the language you use (perverts, bum licker’s, potential child abusers , in need of healing, disease ridden lifestyle choice etc ) is nothing short of disgusting. You are one of the worst homophobes I’ve ever heard of under the age of 60.
Your views on other races and religions is seriously suspect and everyone else can see that from your comments.
Why do you think Steve and Mole don’t get too involved on many subjects with you Richard ?? Its simple with some of your views your as much of a political pariah as any BNP member, you struggle to debate and resort to insults and thinly vailed threats at the drop of a hat (I find them quite amusing and Steve will understand why too if I get to meet him tomorrow as I’ve planned)
You have wrecked a number of topics with your rants about abortion, religion, homosexuality etc etc and you telling someone else what they can write on other people’s blogs is hilarious. Oh and before you make yourself look even stupider with your groundless accusations I can tell you that I have no idea who Norman Owen is so you’ve got that wrong too.
Ps Steve if you can tell me if its possible to drop off the sponsorship in person tomorrow after lunch if it’s convenient I’d be grateful.
6:55 am on July 4th, 2009
I will indeed be around after lunch – though may go out after 2.30pm.
Don’t be disheartened about the nature of Richard’s responses Roger (or his preoccupation with excrement) – Salford’s politics is not characterised in general by the use of reasoned arguments.
6:52 pm on July 4th, 2009
Nice to meet you today Steve and I’m sure that you can confirm to Richard that I’m a real person and not a mixture of all the anti carvathian political enemies !!
8:48 am on July 5th, 2009
I can indeed confirm that you are a person! And thank you so much for your generous donation – it’s hugely appreciated.
8:30 pm on July 13th, 2009
i’m disapointed that a so called lib dem takes great pleasure in persecuting female sex workers.
the libdems oppose the govts persecution of sexworkers(especially female) and tends to support decriminalisation/legalisation,perhaps steve cooke sees an opportunity to become an mp with hazel blears future in doubt and is trying to garner support perhaps by joining labour.
fact is most people (as opinion polls show) support decriminalisation/legalisation.steve cooke should be concentrating on real crime-murder,rape,terrorism,burglary,drugs and violence.
1:33 pm on July 14th, 2009
Peter – you are incorrectly conflating two positions. My opposition to the brothel on Worsley Road is entirely linked with it’s location in respect of a residential area and to the problems of anti-social and violent behaviour associated with it. I personally favour a policy of regulation of the sex industry and I have made my position quite clear to local residents in this respect – everyone I have discussed the issue with on the streets and in my surgeries has favoured the regulation approach. I have no interest in persecuting female sex workers – I do have an interest in persecuting people who threaten or assault residents or create and cause anti-social behaviour which makes the lives of those living nearby utterly miserable.
Secondly, campaigning to put an end to anti-social and violent behaviour in this instance in no way precludes me from campaigning against the other social wrongs that you’ve highlighted – I have for many years been a supporter of Womens’ Aid and a member of Amnesty International for example and I have put efforts into cutting burglary and harmful drug use at a local level.
I won’t justify your accusation that I desire to join Blears or Labour with a response – anyone who has followed this blog will know that I find the suggestion is both contemptible and laughable.
1:51 pm on July 14th, 2009
I agree from what I’ve gathered online and in a very brief chat Steve’s views broadly echo my own in that regulation followed by tightening of the laws against the worst areas that everyone knows are the most anti-social and dangerous to the women themselves such as Street working and pimping is the best and by far the more effective way to move ahead with this issue.
3:30 pm on July 14th, 2009
After reading what I wrote back I would like to add that what I have said are MY views and what I think Steve’s are, If I have understood Steve’s position incorrectly then I’m sure that he will say so and like I’ve said the above are MY views and not necessarily anyone else’s.
Regards
3:52 pm on July 14th, 2009
Steve, am I correct in thinking that you have removed comments from this thread? Would you please confirm if you have (and how many and who they were by).
5:54 pm on July 14th, 2009
I’ve removed one comment as far as I know Richard – it was a duplicate post by you – the one where you linked back to your blog and statement on your website.
[Edit:] Something really screwy has been happening with the comments on this post – now that I’ve upgraded Wordpress and the plugins I’m using but it hasn’t fixed things. Very odd.
7:05 pm on July 14th, 2009
Richard’s been on a huge deleting mission on his own place Steve trying to get rid of all the daft things he’s come out with that people keep inconveniently quoting so if you’ve got a week to spare could you edit all his posts on here that he’s dropped a clanger in???
Pretty please (he’ll see you right when he’s PM you know)
7:07 pm on July 14th, 2009
Err… oh… right.
I haven’t kept a copy of this comment-thread but if my memory serves me correctly there are between three and five comments that were published and visible for several days but which have now mysteriously vanished!
I’d hate to get some gyp off anybody in the future if they raised an issue with anything to do with this thread but – owing to the disappearance of some comments [mine I think] – find myself unable to defend remarks in their original context due to the complete disappearance of some of the original context, if you see what I mean!
But at least if an issue arises I can now cite the technical problems you have had with your website – so that’s fine I suppose.
7:58 pm on July 14th, 2009
If it happens Richard I’d advise you revert back to your “I’m not answerable to anyone (especially if the questions difficult) routine, after all if it aint broke ……..)
Ps Steve if you need a good laugh you should have a read of page three of the Carvath interview and see how many comments you reckon Richard has posted as other people it’s hilarious lol
8:25 pm on July 14th, 2009
Well – the problem looks to be solved. It’s not helped though by the fact that there are two recent threads with roughly the same number of comments on the Brothel – people are posting on both and getting them mixed up. See:
http://www.stevecooke.org/2009/07/07/babes-brothel-chinese-whispers-and-mistaken-identity/#comments
http://www.stevecooke.org/2009/07/02/worsley-road-brothel/comment-page-1/#comments
8:52 pm on July 14th, 2009
Well, no surprises more rubbish from RB! Every time I comment there RB is.
http://www.richardcarvath.net/internethoaxes.htm
For the record, the archive policy I operate on my blog is clearly stated at the bottom of the blog and, to the best of my recollection, this has been my policy for almost four months now [and stated as my policy].
However RB may wish to flatter RB’s self, my extant archive policy therefore pre-dates RB starting to ‘haunt me’ by many weeks!
My archive policy is certainly not in response to RB or anyone else.
I periodically prune my blog-posts to avoid my archive containing obsolete posts or repetitive themes. I want my archive to be easily readable for people who don’t have hours upon end to look over it.
In particular, I tend to delete trivial and/or humorous posts after a time and those which are really just quick ‘tweets’ – for example those which, say, do no more than announce a diary date.
On one occasion I have had to delete posts for genuine security reasons relating to organised crime. [And ironically not for my security or any of those with me.]
When I prune the archive I simply delete an entire blog-post (and any comments that are attached to it automatically go too).
The idea that I delete things to try to hide anything is frankly absurd! I’m a PPC; anything that goes on my blog will be screen shot by several politically interested persons within several minutes of it going up. I know that.
The key reason why I periodically prune my archive is to avoid it getting unwieldy and repetitive; my hope is that by keeping it pruned people are more likely to look back over it without being intimidated by seeing that the archive contains hundreds of posts!
I’ve actually deleted all sorts of really good posts which obviously took time and effort to write but my purpose is not to try to impress along the lines of ‘Look how much I blog!’ but to make it easy for people to quickly get a good flavour of my views and activities.
9:09 pm on July 14th, 2009
Richard Said……..
“To make it easy for people to quickly get a good flavour of my views and activities.”
Oh I think that people are doing just that Richard x
10:16 pm on July 15th, 2009
sorry steve
i don’t buy your straw man argument,what anti-social behaviour & violence? if this were true,the police would act.
the owners of wfb obviously want to keep a discreet and low key presence.
any anti-social behaviour & violence is from your comrade in arms-richard carvath who has also been persecuting the women at babes.wfb has been established for many years,perhaps longer than you’ve been a councillor,its become a trendy issue the subject of massage parlours and it seems that you’ve joined the bandwagon until the next trendy issue comes along.
11:00 pm on July 15th, 2009
I must dispute the “…anti-social behaviour & violence…” attributed to me by the anonymous pro-prostitution commentator above!
I must also dispute being Steve’s “comrade” and I think Steve will agree with me!
My opposition to prostitution is fundamental. Steve’s opposition to Babes specifically is limited largely to the fact that Babes is in a residential area. In regard of the prostitution trade, it would be reasonable to describe me as an Abolitionist, whereas Steve is not opposed to prostitution in principle as I am but seeks only the ‘expedient’ ‘regulation’ of the trade. Doubtless Steve will clarify his position or correct me if my understanding of his position is an over-simplification or otherwise inaccurate.
I have not worked directly with Steve in regard of Babes. We both seek the closure of Babes but have been working entirely independently of each other in pursuit of the same aim.
Specifically, I should point out that Steve has had no involvement in my ‘BrothelWatch’ campaign and neither has he been privy to the intelligence which has been gathered by BrothelWatch except that small proportion of intelligence which has been in the public domain on my blog, or – possibly – that information which I have supplied to the Police and which the Police may (unbeknown to me) have volunteered to furnish Steve with as an interested party (if indeed this has happened – I don’t know).
8:03 am on July 16th, 2009
I wonder if you’ve got to sign the official secret act to join “Brothelwatch” ???
Coming to cinemas near you soon Mission Impossible IV ……………………THE BROTHELWATCH CONSPIRACY …………………….. Starring Dickie “I’m a hero you know” Carvath with Mary Whitehouse as the love interest!
Any chance of a role as a baddie Richard ?
8:33 am on July 16th, 2009
Peter – the police have acted. A man has been convicted. Investigations are also ongoing. An anti-social behaviour closure is being sought. Residents have, in the past, received death threats.
As Richard has pointed out he and I are fundamentally politically and ideologically opposed.
You are correct about the length that Babes has been where it is; I have been a councillor for the ward since 2007; WFB has been there for around 13 years. It has also been causing problems for many years. There are other brothels in the city that have not caused any significant problems – largely because they are not in such an unsuitable location. If your allegation about my actions were true then you would expect to see comments on my blog about my campaigns to close them too.
However, it does appear that have made a decision about my motives and will not be willing to change that view no matter how much I tell you that my view is otherwise. And it also seems that you have decided, with little or no local and contextual knowledge, that this brothel is not causing problems for the residents – I suggest you talk to them some time.
10:56 pm on February 12th, 2010
Hey Steve,
Add this blog to your favourites:
http://brothelbane.wordpress.com
I expect this blog will have some very interesting content in the coming weeks for everybody who wants to see the closure of the World Famous Babes brothel at 217 Worsley Road, Swinton.
1:55 pm on February 13th, 2010
What an interesting read this has been nine months on, some things have changed (Richard has been banned for posting as other people trying to pretend he has any support on Salford Online despite stating any number of times it’s lies, interestingly the comment about his intimidating a room full of “gangsters” by a “woman” who dated him and finds him soooo sexy was amongst the persona’s and comments Richard fabricated) but some things haven’t changed at all.
Richard is still posting links to his sites everywhere in a vain bid to attract a little attention.
Oh and from a legal POV if you intend to publish face shots of people Richard you need to be VERY careful and my advice to Steve would be to remove the link until such time as he is happy with the content himself. I personally think that Richard WANTS to be warned or prosecuted for something controversial (such as he has been with his gay hate / homophobia recently) in a desperate attempt to attract coverage and I doubt anyone else wants to get dragged into your mess Richard.
4:47 pm on February 13th, 2010
We know you’re not keen on showing your face on the web RB… so don’t use the brothel.
6:26 pm on February 13th, 2010
You really are an idiot aren’t you Richard ??
Wasn’t it a short while ago you you accused me of being a combination of Norman Owen and Steve M !!
Do make your mind up old chap x
7:31 pm on March 8th, 2010
Now Steve exactly as I predicted Richard and his “A team” have caused distress and falsely accused perfectly innocent family and can I suggest again you remove this link from your site.
Would you like to tell everyone what you’ve done with your “inteligence” Richard ?? I’ll give you an hour then I’ll tell just how you managed to commit a Carvath-up of epic proportions in your first half dozen efforts on this………….
8:57 pm on March 8th, 2010
Richard has just had to pull down a picture he posted in his brothel campaign that he claimed was the residence of someone connected to the sex industry that his “A team” had got “intelligence” on. It only turns out that the people he thought lived there moved out FIVE YEARS ago and he’s caused distress to a perfectly innocent young family who are distraught at his actions.
He is NOT responsible enough in his actions to post ANYTHING on people in public, after all if he can be FIVE YEARS out on something like this then how much checking can he really be doing!!
It will be interesting to see what legal ramifications will arrise from this latest blunder as I’m imformed that there could well be developments in that area, also to see if he has the decency to offer a public appology for his crass and thoughtless actions.
11:48 am on March 10th, 2010
It gets even better, I’ve been told today that one of the cars he has pictured only belongs to a health vistor that supply health checks for women involved in prostitution and they have made an official complaint too….
You can only assume that ineptitude on this level must have been cultivated over a long period as I find it impossible to see how someone could commit quite so many “mistakes” otherwise.
Richard the voice you hear in your head almost certainly isn’t god as he is reputed to know all things and you seem to know nothing about anything. Remember those cleaning chemicals need a WELL VENTILATED area …………..
12:31 pm on March 10th, 2010
Interesting confession from pro-prostitution RB, the bit about “…women involved in prostitution…”! (Thanks but we already know). (And that’s also a working definition under English law of an illegal brothel). For the record, I am not responsible for the day-to-day operation of BrothelWatch or its activities on the internet; I am really just a figurehead, a public point of contact for the press or the police for what is a covert anti-brothel campaign undertaken by anonymous volunteers. (As a public figurehead I also serve various tactical purposes of use to the campaign as well). The photos of cars in the car park that the A-Team sometimes post on their blog are exactly that: photos of cars in a brothel’s car park, nothing more, and there is nothing illegal about that.
If an NHS health visitor (funded by taxpayers’ money) really is complicit in facilitating prostitution at the WFB brothel, I would welcome hard evidence of this as I’m sure that the general public would be greatly interested to hear about the NHS providing a visiting service to a brothel – not least because in facilitating prostitution the NHS would be directly implicated in aiding and abetting criminal activity, and also directly implicated in facilitating a trade which directly contributes to the maintenance and worsening of public health in regard of sexually transmitted infections!
1:11 pm on March 10th, 2010
So any comment about the picture FIVE YEARS out of date Richard or an apology to the young family ??
Oh and as YOU have stated that YOU are the leader and public face I think you will find that YOU are the person who can be taken to court for libel by this family.
Any comment on exactly WHO gave you permission to film in the church Richard because you can be sure that question will be asked until you do answer it , at live interview perhaps??
1:18 pm on March 10th, 2010
Edit…
Its taken me less than five min to find the information on who funds the health visitors Richard. Just how incompetent are you, surely you must as a PPC be capable of doing some research and checking??
Its a charity based organisation though it looks like from what I can see at a quick glance that they do receive some limited goverment funding.
Again the fact you can’t even find information freely available on the net shows just how “informed” you are doesn’t it..
Oh and every time you call people perverts you will be reported for it so keep it up you bigot.