A FORMER dominatrix said people in Hereford need to be more realistic about the sex trade after police closed a suspected brothel in the city centre.

Lindi St Clair, who hit the tabloid headlines as Miss Whiplash in the 1980s, claimed there was a significant number of prostitutes working in the county and called for changes to the ways sex workers are treated by the law.

“You will never stop it and the girls provide a vital service,” she added.

“The government has introduced legislation for gay marriage, minority groups and the disabled but prostitutes are the bottom of the pile.”

Ms Sinclair was speaking after two women were arrested last Friday in Hereford.

The pair were arrested on suspicion of running a brothel and immigration offences.

Police moved in when a search warrant was executed at a property on Commercial Street after a tip was provided by members of the public.

West Mercia Police confirmed a 53-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of managing a brothel and is helping police with their enquiries.

A spokesperson added that a 45- year-old female was also arrested on suspicion of immigration offences.

The warrant was executed by he Hereford safer neighbourhood team, Local Policing Priorities Team and proactive CID.

The premises on Commercial Street has been closed down.

Ms Sinclair is now 66 and has retired from the sex industry but still has strong views on the trade.

“I don’t know the specifics of this case but it seems the brothel was being run in a retail area which is the best place for it,” she said.

“If it’s two girls with their own place then I don’t see a problem with it.

“It’s much better than what went on in the car parks near Hereford Railway Station when youngsters could walk past.

“I still know of lots of women working in Hereford. This place is just the tip of the iceberg.

“It’s no good pretending this doesn’t happen.”

Ms Sinclair, who has now moved from her home near Bromyard to Wales, added: “We just need to be realistic and understand that men will always want sex and will pay for it.

“We should make it easier for girls to provide the service – not criminalise them.”