HEALTH chiefs have welcomed a police scheme to send warning letters and advice on sexually transmitted infections to men caught kerb-crawling in Bolton's red light district.

Ten letters and NHS booklets have already been posted to the homes of men spotted in their cars with a prostitute and to anyone arrested for the offence.

It is believed to be the first scheme of its kind to promote health awareness across the country.

Chief Supt Don Brown, head of Bolton Police, has introduced the scheme hoping it will deter kerbcrawlers in addition to promoting health awareness.

Supporting the scheme Jan Hutchinson, Director of Public Health at Bolton's Primary Care Trust, said: "We are concerned about the increase locally in cases of sexually transmitted infections and we support all efforts to stem this increase. This initiative is a good example of how different agencies can work together in a way which helps them each achieve their goals. This approach means that we can get some health education messages across at the same time as tackling an issue of crime and anti-social behaviour."

And Dr Emile Morgan, consultant in HIV and GU medicine at the Bolton Centre for Sexual Health added: "It is a great scheme. I think this is a very modern way to actively handle the problem in what seems to be a very compassionate way.

"Anything that can be done to prevent the spread of sexual disease is to be welcomed. I just hope that people heed the advice. I also look forward to the police doing more of this sort of thing. We need to spread the message everywhere."