Police in Montego Bay, St James, are now investigating reports that prostitutes have been going door to door in residential areas to sell and advertise sexual services.

The new strategy, the cops say, is apparently being used as a creative method by the prostitutes to market themselves in difficult economic times.

Detective Corporal Linval Hutchinson of the Area One Police told THE WEEKEND STAR that they have received at least four reports of such happenings in the last two weeks.

"At first, it was thought to be a rumour; however, three other men claimed to have come across these prostitutes," he said.

The detective said that the reports suggest that the 'ladies of the night' have visited homes in at least two communities.

Upscale areas

"Based on the information we received, the women visit houses in rather upscale areas and simply market themselves ... . They knock on the gate or door and if a male answers, they continue to say what they have to offer," he explained.

In relating his encounter with one of the women, a complainant told the police that she went as far as to pull down her underwear while trying to convince him to purchase her services.

In the reports, so far, there seems to be no set time for the women's operation. The times have been varied with visits at 2 p.m., close to midnight and after 10 p.m. It was also said that they dress casually, a move the police suspect is made to prevent unwanted attention.

Meanwhile, David Elliott, who works at a gas station close to one of the communities visited by the prostitutes, said while he was not visited, he had heard of the incidents.