Prostitution sting nets 33 charges in Calgary's core

Calgary police have charged 33 people in a prostitution sting.

Officers with the vice unit spent four days in mid-Octobertargeting street-levelconsumers of sexual services in the city's core.

"The areas targeted were identified as being problem locations by police and the community," police said in a release.

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In total, 33 people were charged with unlawfully communicating with a person for the purpose of obtaining sexual services.

Two people were alsoarrested on warrants for being a disqualified driver, while a third person was arrested on a criminal-codewarrant.

During the operation, police also providedinformation to sex trade workers, including contact information for agencies that help women who want to exit the business.

'Complex issue'

"Prostitution is a complex issue requiring a collaborative approach amongst law enforcement and social service agencies," police said in the release. "TheCalgary Police Service's highest priorities are cases involving minors, exploitation and human trafficking."

Police encourage anyone who is a victim of human trafficking or exploitationto contact any of the following organizations for assistance.

• VICE Unit Hotline 403-428-2356
• Servants Anonymous 403-237-8477
• Shift Calgary 403-237-8171
• ACT Alberta 780-474-1104
• Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477