Councillors are planning to clear prostitutes away from public areas - specifically the Casa de Campo park, a vastwoodland to the west of the city - but, following countless past failures, they are trying to achieve it through agreement rather than force. Some prostitutes complain they are being criminalised for earning a living, and demand protection, not persecution, from the police. They fear they will be corralled into a ghetto and pushed still further into the clutches of powerful clandestine mafias.
They should regulate prostitution like any other line of work. Other prostitutes say a specially designated area in a far corner of the park might provide greater security and freedom from police harassment. But they will only consider the idea if the city installs lighting, public telephones, toilets, public transport and a cafeteria in the inhospitable area. The women and men who work in the park are debating the proposal and are due to make a decision next week.
The polemic flared when an over-vigilant environmental police patrol surprised a couple engaged in oral sex in a car in the Casa de Campo at The prostitute and her client were each fined 1, pesetas pounds 4 for committing "indecorous acts on the public highway", under a Francoist decree that dates from The Casa de Campo is renowned as a centre for prostitutes who parade day and night along winding roads near the amusement park and the zoo - popular among families with young children - and the entrance to the bullfighting school, which is attended daily by hundreds of pubescent boys.
But it may not be easy for the authorities to shift prostitutes from their established territory near the park's tube stations and cafes. Elena, a gypsy prostitute of 56, told a young reporter: "I don't take any notice. Listen sonny, they're not going to move me from here because we are free.
Just as I do what I like with my body, so I do the same with my feet. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in. Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Not now Yes please.
