THE team which helped virtually eliminate onstreet prostitution in Bolton town centre has been shortlisted for an police award.

The area around Shiffnall Street used to be plagued by prostitution and drugs, while nearby residents in The Haulgh said it was a “no-go zone”.

Now the number of prostitutes operating in Bolton has fallen from about 140 to less than 20 over the last two years and the number of calls to police about prostitution has dropped from 100 per year to just 22 since 2006.

The area, formerly known as a red light district, is now being transformed into the “Merchant’s Quarter” with a new £3 million Travelodge hotel.

The massive reduction in on-street prostitution is thanks to an operation by police, Bolton Council and Urban Outreach, a rehabilitation charity.

There have been more than 500 arrests by police, while the council and Urban Outreach have helped the women get out of the cycle of drug addiction and prostitution and stopped young girls from becoming involved. The team responsible for “Operation Zero” has now been shortlisted for a prize at Greater Manchester Police’s excellence awards, which take place next week.

They are up against two other teams from elsewhere in Greater Manchester to claim the partnership award.

The nomination includes Insp Phil Spurgeon, who is in charge of the policing side of Operation Zero, as well as Sgt Paul Ellis and eight other officers.

Also in the team are Gill Hughes, the council’s community safety boss, social worker Andrea Duerden, and Dave Bagley and Sheila Taylor from Urban Outreach.

Sgt Ellis said: “We’ve worked extremely hard as a partnership to reduce the anti-social behaviour caused by prostitution.

“The work has been extremely effective and we’re pleased with the results, and we will continue to work in this area.”

Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, Peter Fahy said: “Our dedicated and talented staff work extremely hard every day to make Greater Manchester a safer place to live, work and visit. Furthermore, our strong partnerships with other organisations allow staff to think in more innovative ways in which they can serve the public. This was reflected in the volume of nominations that we received.”

The GMP excellence awards are in Manchester next Friday.