DEN BOSCH, 23/01/04 - Police in the Eindhoven area have started a remarkable trial to check escort agencies for illegal prostitutes. Detectives have women come to hotel rooms. Awaiting them instead of a client is a special control team of immigration police.

Up to now, the police have screened twelve prostitutes of as many escort agencies in this manner. Half of them turned out to be illegals, project leader P. Hijnen stated yesterday. One of the agencies had their license withdrawn. If the new work method proves effective then it will probably be introduced nationwide, he disclosed.

Dutch law prohibits elicitation as a detection method, but the Public Prosecutor's Office in Den Bosch, says this is not the case here. "For checks on prostitutes working behind windows we can simply visit them. Escort agencies are not so visible, which is why this measure has been introduced," said spokesman T. Willemsen.