Brothel next to primary school draws fire

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A brothel that has set up shop next to an Auckland primary school has been slammed by lobby group Family First.

Firecats Escorts is operating from an apartment on Brown Street, Ponsonby - less than 300 metres from Richmond Road Primary School.

The brothel employs 30 prostitutes and operates seven days a week.

Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ, said the brothel's location is "unacceptable", and highlights the flaws of New Zealand's prostitution laws.

"We already have accounts of residential brothels where men, willing to pay for sex, are knocking on nearby homes trying to find the brothel," said Mr McCoskrie.

"There are also concerns about littering, noise and nuisance, a reduced sense of public safety, traffic, intimidation, and late-night visits."

Mr McCoskrie said when prostitution was legalised, the then-Minister of Justice, the Hon Phil Goff, said controls were needed to prevent brothels operating in "inappropriate or offensive" places, such as near preschools or schools.

At present there are no restrictions that prevent brothels from operating near schools.

A poll of 1,000 people undertaken by Curia Market Research last year found that 66 per cent wanted brothels banned in residential areas. More women than men were in favour of the ban.