After nearly 200 years the term “common prostitute” is to be removed from the statute book and replaced with the word “person”. The decision follows a consultation, which showed the term was widely regarded as both stigmatising and offensive.

The shake-up in the sex offences laws will also see women who are persistently involved in prostitution facing compulsory drug and alcohol rehabilitation courses on pain of 72 hours' detention if they fail to attend. Home office minister Tony McNulty explained: “We are only too well aware that not all “persons” take drugs or drink alcohol but we must be seen to be doing something.”