A PIONEERING scheme designed to reduce kerb-crawling in Southampton's inner-city was today hailed a success after drastically reducing the number of re-offenders.

Figures reveal that none of the 141 men who have taken part in the Change Course project has been rearrested for kerb-crawling since the scheme began almost two years ago.

The ground-breaking initiative, the first of its kind in Britain, allows first-time offenders to pay £150 to attend a course rather than be prosecuted at court.

Developed by Hampshire police's vice squad with an experienced forensic and clinical psychologist and a senior probation officer, the one-day scheme challenges men's perceptions of street prostitution.

It also encourages kerb-crawlers to consider the effects of their behaviour on the street prostitutes, the local community, their families and themselves.

Sgt Belinda D'Orsey, of Hampshire police's vice squad, said: "It is not an easy option.

"The course challenges the men's perception of prostitution and in many cases men on the course end up in tears."

Police believe the initiative, which has attracted wide interest from other forces across Britain, is having a significant impact on Southampton's streets.

Sgt D'Orsey added: "There are fewer kerb-crawlers driving around the streets of St Mary's and Newtown, but we still need to reduce their numbers further.

"We want to stop this area being used for street prostitution and assure the residents in the community that we are working to bring an end to this culture."

Research suggests the course is targeting the right people, with three-quarters of participants admitting to having used street prostitutes in Southampton.

Senior probation officer Ian Caren said: "The research shows that the course changes the way in which men who use street prostitutes construe their behaviour.

"When the men start the course, they typically describe seeing street prostitution as sexy, romantic and exciting, with the man having a joint and equal relationship with the street prostitute.

"But by the end of Change Course, this biased and unrealistic view has altered dramatically."