Laura Glowacki

10 johns arrested by sex-trade task force, Winnipeg police say

Arrests made March 7-11, police say

Ten men were arrested by Winnipeg police between March 7 and 11 for paying for sexual services. (CBC)

Ten men age 21 to 57 have been arrested for paying for sexual services, say Winnipeg police.

Eight vehicles were also seized under Highway Traffic Act rules.

The men were arrested March 7 to 11, part of the police force's ongoing counter-exploitation unit task force in collaboration with community support members at divisions 11 and 13, a Winnipeg police news release said.

Five more men were cautioned by officers for frequenting areas known for sexual exploitation, said police. They were referred to the Salvation Army's Reality Check program, which offers information to people who may become or currently are customers of prostitutes.

As well, 22 adult women who are believed to engage in the sex trade were interviewed by police officers but were determined to be sex workers voluntarily, said Winnipeg police.

"Officer offered various levels of community supports to the women who were interviewed," said the police news release.

The women were interviewed in Winnipeg body rub parlours, hotels and at street level, said police.