Police raids

[Peken]

With coleraine being the latest area being hit surely it’s only a matter of time before one of the Belfast hotspots is targeted? I think I’ll put punting on the back burner for a month or 2, some poor bastard is going to take hit for everyone’s activities. You never know who’s lurking in here either, massage from now on me thinks & anything I’ve ever posted has been pure Mills & Boom fantasy.

[scutty brown]

Is it any clearer who the target was in Coleraine?

[Peken]

Nothing to report back on yet, probably the usual brothel charges.

[scutty brown]

seemingly gang related

External Link/Members Only
External Link/Members Only

[Peken]

Cheers for that, puts a whole different perspective on it now? Do we even know it was for adult services or are they both connected? If so then that’s a whole new ball game for the punting scene or maybe I’m being naive.

[scutty brown]

Have to wait and see what comes out of it I guess.
FWIW in the past there were claims made that prostitution in the north was mainly controlled by the paramilitaries of both sides as a source of finance, but I've not seen that said in many years. Maybe things changed, maybe the authorities don't want to stir things up with public statements.

[Betterjudgement]

I've always just assumed that(given geographic spread of the usual hauns, esp belfast) that if the joints aren't being run by paramilitaries, then they're as a minimum stumping up protection money. There's no way in hell cash operation massage joints etc are operating out of lower Ravenhill, the Village, N'Ards road etc in residential areas under their radar. Same in Portadown etc. More than once I've knocked an appt on the head due to "interesting" characters loitering in doorways a few doors up. Burner phone or no, we're only a photo away from an extortion racket.

Just another reason to keep your ££ in your pocket and save for a weekend across the water.

[Peken]

I’m with you on that one now after reading the Sunday life. I know it’s a shite tabloid and gutter press but fucked if I’m getting involved in paramilitary brothels or other, I noticed the numbers in working girls this week has suddenly dipped. Coincidence? I think not! I’m in Edinburgh/Glasgow a fair bit and I’ve a simple rule of thumb and that’s not to review from far off, it simply narrows down you as a person, what I can say is punting in Scotland is x100 better than our way. Also, I think a massage is the way forward for now if you have the urge! After all it’s legit, isn’t it and not everyone gets the extras LOL

[scutty brown]

Do you think there's a possiblity that the illegality of prostitution in Northern Ireland (and in the South for that matter) has made it easier for the paramilitaries to control the business?

[Peken]

There is someone somewhere making extortionate amounts of money, I know first hand of rooms, places whatever you want to call them are charged at £700 per week. I wouldn’t like to make assumptions or even comment on that as I’m sure you’re aware it’s not something people want to talk about for the fear of their own safety.